Fruits Ripe

Episode 4a

For this chapter:

"English"

"Hindu"

"Japanese"

Back to Lily's POV.....

In India

Getting off the plane, there was someone to meet her at the gate. They respectfully greeted her and took her bags while leading her to the car pick up point. She stood out in the crowd with her uniquely colored hair and eyes behind her glasses, but especially for the fans who noticed her and secretly took pictures. When Lily noticed, she smiled for a few and offered to sign some magazines for the few brave ones who approached her. Once the whole process was over she went straight to the hotel to bathe, get food, and knock out until tomorrow morning.

The hotel room was a glamorous and large suite with a kitchen and sitting room. The fridge was stocked during the day and her costumes and makeup stations were set up in the sitting room as it usually was, she liked getting ready before she left and often the process would be filmed. It was to reach foreign audiences about the days of models, especially young ones like her. She wasn't only a model, but also up to be an ambassador in the future.

She was tempted to take it, then she'd be able to support herself and Tohru better. They wouldn't need to work so hard and would be able to afford a house and their tuition, and Tohru could go to college, she knew that secretly she always wanted to go and explore the possibilities.

'That was enough thinking for tonight' she decided and did everything she planned to do, she had room service deliver some sandwiches before she arrived, she knew it'd be late when they touched down. And crashed on the bed after taking off her glasses and contacts.

The Next Day...

Beep Beep Knock Knock Knock

"Miss Honda? It's your manager and stylist team. Oh as well as breakfast," a man's voice sounded from the main door, where a team of people came in.

Only Lily, her agent, and her manager had the suites room key, for her safety. She turned over, saw everyone, waved, and turned back over to get a few more minutes of sleep. The team were used to her already and chuckled as they went to set up their stations and cameras.

"Miss Honda, the photographer sent me to deliver the first 2 pieces, which will be shot here, then moved to location." A female accented voice spoke this time making Lily sit up to receive her better. The young Indian girl seemed to be looking for an interpreter as she spoke.

"Thank you. Everything is set up in the sitting area, my manager, Kaine can show you," Lily spoke surprising the young girl, but they did say the model was very intelligent. She almost cooed at her, while she was rubbing her eyes and blushed when she noticed the manager's amused stare.

"Right this way please," he motioned with his arms for her to follow and both took off.

Lily sighed then got up to stretch. She picked up her glasses and wrapped her hair up, then went in the bathroom for her morning routine. She has a skin care routine, a hair care routine, and does the usual brush teeth with special whitening tooth paste.

Once she was done, she joined the stylists, her manager, and the the camera people in the sitting room. From there it was a whirlwind of makeup, hair, accessories, and props. She also answered some questions for the cameras that were rolling and then she was able to eat.

"Busy day today, but all the shoots have been rearranged to today. The producers were told you were missing school to be here, so they decided to try to get everything done today so you could get back without missing too much." The girl who introduced herself as Navie, told them once everything slowed down.

"Thank you, but I would hope they won't bombard her because of this new schedule." Lily's Agent, Katashi was a 28 year old man who has been there since she was 12, when she started modeling part time. He was a Gay Chinese man (who didn't look completely Chinese) and married his partner, Kaine abroad before moving to Japan, where the management put him in charge of the new branch and he followed.

"No, of course she'll still have breaks and food will be provided with allergies in mind. I will be helping guide and make sure the schedule is being stuck to," She reassured them.

"I forgot! Let me make a quick call and let them know about the schedule change." Lily told them pulling out her phone to call Shigure. She checked the time was 8:30 am, since she was woken up around 6:30am. Which meant it was 10 am in Japan, Perfect.

Ring... Ring... Ring... Click

"Hello, Soma Residence," Shigure's voice answered slightly amused.

"I called your personal phone Shigure," Lily teased him. "Maybe your getting older."

"Ouch, my heart." She could hear the imaginary tears falling making her giggle. "I assumed you were there already, but I'm glad to hear you're safe. Now don't forget your medication and I have someone I'd like you to meet when you get back, okay?"

"A doctor? I didn't know you knew any. Well I have Heart disease, I take medication for it and to promote more blood. The other medicines are to support my other organs that are effected by it. I was a sickly child, but medications are expensive, so I was only able to take the main one and have a pump, the others came later when I started modeling. I haven't visited though since I got my new medication at 12. I hope that's enough information for your friend." She told him genuinely and her heart was warm at his concern.

"My cousin and best friend, Hatori Soma. He's a doctor for the Soma Clan, specifically the Zodiacs as he's also one of us. You'll like him," Shigure told her. She watched her manager make a hand sign and nodded.

"I have to go, see you soon. Oh! They rearranged my schedule, so I'll call you once I'm at the Airport if you can still come and get me?" She asked unsure.

"Of course. Call me later then no matter what time it is over here, alright?" He told her sternly making her nod.

"I understand, Bye"

Call End

"Come on Sweet Pea, it's time to start," Katashi told her while handing her, her medicines and some orange juice. Kaine handed her the contacts she forgot and headed down to make sure the car was ready.

She nodded her thanks and took them for him to see. He nodded approvingly and they went along together.

Time Skip

Later that day, during the last shoot.

"One last outfit Lily san then back to the hotel," Kaine told her when the photographer motioned for her to change. He noticed her rubbing her eyes a bit and knew she was tired from the running around all day.

"Thanks Kaine-kun," she smiled genuinely at the older male and his partner were like uncles to her. They always looked out for her no matter what and wanted to take her and Tohru in when their mom died, but the court said they couldn't because they weren't family.

The last outfit was thrown on while the stylists changed and touched up makeup. There was sparkly lotion put on her exposed skin and accessories included before she went to the last location to take pictures. The rest of the crew packed up as the last photoshoot happened to prepare for their late flight back to Japan. Only her manager and agent watched over the process to make sure nothing inappropriate happened, as it has happened before.

"Okay! That's a wrap! Thank you for everyone's hard work." The photographer announced after checking the images he took one last time.

Everyone clapped and thanked each other for their hard work. Lily personally thanked everyone along with her manager and agent, who wore proud smiles on their faces. They were always proud of her humility, manners, kindness, thoughtfulness, and her adaptability. They often had to remind people she was only 15, that's just how mature she was.

After they greeted everyone and thanked them, Lily changed back into her regular clothes and they started on back to the hotel to finish packing. Kaine was in charge of the hotel and vehicle changes, while Katashi was in charge of packing Lily up knowing that she didn't get much sleep and helping her change fast. Their new flight was at 10pm which was in 2 hours, enough to pack and have dinner, then make their way to the airport.

She showered quickly and put on some fresh comfy clothes, then went to help pack. After they made sure everything was packed, they brought everything to the garage to put in the trunk of the car they were taking to the airport. They decided to eat dinner at the restaurant they originally booked since they could still make the reservation and Lily sent Shigure a message on the drive there to give him an update.

" Hey Shigure Nii, I know it's late but I'm about to get on the flight and we'll arrive around 9am here, which is 11:30am in Japan. " - Fairy Guardian

"Thanks for letting me know we'll come get you." -Gure-Nii

"Okay." - Fairy Guardian

They enjoyed some Indian cuisine and made it to the airport on time. The flight wasn't bad as she got to sleep for majority of it. In between sleeping, she talked to both Kaine and Katashi who were considering adoption in America. They already started the process and were just waiting on confirmation to visit the kids there. They were really happy they listened to Lily who encouraged them to follow their dreams, now soon they'd have a little one of their own.

Many Hours Later (This is Anime timing school starts later so she'll get there)

Transfer back to regular text is Japanese

Touching down in Japan the couple woke Lily up and prepared for departure from the plane. This time Shigure had gotten Hatori to go pick her up, as he was anxious to meet her- though he wouldn't admit that to the damn dog. Kaine and Katashi had parked at the airport, so they decided after dropping Lily off at her ride, they'd take off. Both men smirked at the sight of Hatori in a suit waiting in front of the car, he held a sign with Lily's name on it and was smoking a cigarette. He were Handsome.

" Look what our flower has been hiding," Katashi teased.

"Delicious," Kaine teased adding on with his husband.

"Stop it," Lily playfully whined slapping their arms as the got closer.

Hatori heard them as they got closer and straightened up. Hatori put out his cigarette and took his jacket from the hood of the car.

"Welcome back," Hatori took her suitcase politely from Kaine and bowed in greeting.

"I'm Hatori Sohma," he introduced himself to the two men.

"I'm Kaine Hinemoto and this is my husband Katashi Hinemoto, we're Lily's manager and agent respectively" he told them while looking fondly at the two next to him.

" It's a pleasure to meet you gentlemen" he told them after closing the trunk.

"Thanks for picking me up," Lily said shyly and bowed towards Hatori who returned it.

"Alright Darling, we're off" Katashi told Lily lightly nudging her side. She hugged them both tightly and they each gave her a kiss on her forehead, before taking off.

Hatori held the door open for her and let her get in first. Inside the car the two made light conversation for a bit, before they decided to sit in comfortable silence for a while.

"I know Shigure mentioned an appointment with me once you were back, so I originally scheduled for 2 days later. Unfortunately I can't do it today, but I wanted to meet you first," Hatori informed her after clearing his throat to get her attention.

"I haven't been to a proper doctor since I was 13, the last one got uncomfortable so I didn't go back and others are too expensive, then I got this job and now I'm too busy," she told him softly.

"I'll keep that in mind," Hatori told her before they went back into a comfortable silence.

By the time they arrived back at the house, they were greeted by the mailman running past the car. Thinking nothing of it, they unpacked the car and Lily shyly gave Hatori a hug after remembering the prompting from Shigure. At first he tensed from the feeling, but soon began to relax and pat her head gently. She gave him a smile then grabbed her bags, her book bag and suitcase, and began her way up the stairs leading to the house. Hatori left soon after to ignore Shigure's teasing and drove away to get back to Akito before they noticed he was gone for too long.

Once Lily made it up the stairs it was to the sight of a boar beating Kyo up, while Yuki, Shigure, and Tohru watched in uniform. Confused she decided to silently make her way closer to hear more of the conversation.

Tohru ever the peacemaker cut in, "Excuse me. I think there's a misunderstanding. I meant that I wanna become someone more like you, who's able to see the good in people even when it isn't obvious. Does that make sense?"

The boar Gasped and spoke confirming to Lily that this was a zodiac member, "You mean it? Like, for real?"

Tohru seemed really encouraged and it was cute, "Yeah! I think it's fantastic trait to have, don't you?"

The boar gasps again this time followed by transforming back into a naked girl on Kyo's back, "Yeah, I do."

Kyo freaked out and blushed once the smoke cleared, "Put some clothes on!"

Shigure noticed Lily and smiled before teasing Kyo, "You need more training, dummy."

Then he pointed at Lily, who waved at the stunned teens.

"Lily!" Tohru shouted excitedly before running towards her.

"Onee-chan!!" Lily yelled back and met her halfway.

"Welcome home Angel," Shigure told her while taking her suitcase by the handle and bringing it inside. "Clothes Kagura." He reminded seeing the others still frozen.

They snapped into action and Yuki threw Kagura her clothes while Kyo pried her off of his back and turned his attention to the two sisters. Yuki gently took her book bag off her shoulders after the girls separated and gave her a smile, which she reciprocated. Kyo came over and gently ruffled her hair as he blushed a bit and looked away when she gave him a smile as well.

"Who are you?" The boar girl asked Lily slightly put off.

"I'm Lily Honda," she responded softly

"Oh! I'm Kagura Sohma, Tohru talked about you a lot," the boar girl now known as Kagura sized her up but decided she seemed nice enough.

Lily nodded back politely and bowed to her. They helped her put her things inside and she bid them good bye wanting to get more rest instead of go to school. She watched them head down the stairs then headed inside the house and to their room before crashing.

What she didn't know was that when Tohru came home, it would be with some unexpected news.

End Lily’s POV