Chapter Text
It was the time of year again. The one feared and dreaded by many a zodiac member. No, it was not the New Year's Banquet, thought that brought in similar turning up of noses, but something far more important in the Sohma family doctor's mind.
The time of their regular flu vaccinations were upon them. Every last one of them, since Hatori did them all on the same day. It was easier to keep track of them this way, and it also ensured that it was all done and over with as soon as possible.
Delaying even a single one might give them room to try to escape, or fool the tired doctor into thinking they had already had their jab. Hatori took no risks.
His day started early, earlier than usual. His first task was to gather them. Even with so medically related a reason, Kyo would not be allowed to enter the estate; all the Zodiac members, except for Akito and Kyo, would have to gather in Hatori's clinic, adjoining to his house.
In previous years as well, Hatori would just pay Kyo a quick visit to administer it later in the day. This year would be no different.
Hatori knew from experience that he could get Akito's jab done later, in her own room. She would never try to escape, though she would whine and complain as he admistered it. She hated the jabs, of course, but loved Hatori's attention.
Yes, Akito was in no way romantically interested in him. But she loved it all the same.
Well, but about never trying to escape... the same couldn't be said of the other zodiacs. There were some obedient ones, like Kisa, but there were also some naughty ones, like Shigure, and others that were other kinds of troublesome, like Ritsu.
Hatori could already imagine Ritsu apologizing to the world and to him repeatedly about how he was undeserving to receive the medicine that people poured their blood, sweat and tears into producing--
"Harii! Good morning!" It was Momiji, entering the house. He was a regular visitor, so Hatori wasn't surprised in the slightest. In fact, he was grateful that he didn't seem to be trying to run away from the imminent vaccination.
"Good morning," he said in return, meeting him at the doorway. "I need to go gather the others, I know they won't come here so easily."
"They're all such scaredy-cats," Momiji hummed, watching as Hatori slipped on his shoes and opened the door. Stepping outside, he turned back to Momiji.
"Listen, some of them like Kisa and Hiro might come here while I'm gone. Welcome them and give them some tea if they do."
"Will do!" Chirped Momiji, waving goodbye and closing the door as Hatori left. First, the ones within the estate.
Heading over to Kagura's house, he wondered if Rin would be in as well. She did technically live there, but he had an idea of just how little time she actually spent there.
He rang the doorbell, and Kagura answered. "Oh? Tori-nii? What are you doing here?"
"It's the day of the vaccinations, remember? Can you come down to the clinic?" Kagura took a step back in what looked like a milder version of mortification. "But Kyo-kun... Kyo-kun... won't be there!"
"I know, but you can visit him with me afterwards if you want. Now will you come?" That was all it took. "OK, I'll head over to the clinic first! ♡"
After she sped away, Kagura's mom came to the door to greet him. "Hatori-san, thank you so much. She can be quite a handful..." Hatori smiled. "Don't worry. Also, is Isuzu in?"
"I'm afraid not... she always leaves at any time of the day or night without telling us where she's going." Kagura's mother sighed. Hatori thanked her and left.
The next stop was Haru's. He ran into him just strolling along the path, walking... in the complete opposite direction of the clinic. "Hatsuharu?"
"Oh, hey," Haru said casually, "I was on my way to your house." He shrugged. "You're going in the wrong direction. Are you lost?"
"No, but path changing fairies really do exist. Mystery..."
Hatori sighed. Deciding not to run the risk of Haru losing his way again, he walked him back to the clinic. When he arrived back, he was heartened to see Hiro and Kisa sitting in the living room with Kagura.
At least some of them were considerate enough to remember, and be on time.
But his job was not yet over; this was only the beginning. Leaving the house again, he hopped into his car and drove towards Shigure's house.
On the way, his phone suddenly rang. "Yes?"
"Tori-san! Fear not, for I am right now on my way to your sacred home, for I would never try to defy you. I shall offer up my charm as an offering to be conferred during the gathering--"
And that's how Hatori was stuck listening to Ayame babble on about this and that throughout the car ride. He tried to hang up, but couldn't bring himself to do it. And when he finally did, Ayame simply called again. Hatori was losing his mind; he didn't realize that Ayame might listen to him if he told him to stop talking.
After what seemed like an eternity, Hatori pulled up to the side of the road and hung up, turning his phone to silent.
Parking his car at the base of the steps, he glanced over the nearby foliage, hoping to catch a glimpse of some moving bush or something to that effect. Yes, he had discovered Shigure, the adult, hiding in the bushes several times in the last few years. It was a real and genuine possibility that he would repeat this tactic.
He began walking up the stairs, keeping his eyes peeled for signs of life. Reaching the top of the stairs, he took a moment to catch his breath before going up to the house.
Tohru answered the door when he knocked. "Hatori-san! It's so nice to see you. Ah! Are you here to visit Shigure-san?"
"Hello, Honda-kun. Not exactly," Hatori replied, "I need to bring him back to the clinic, and Yuki too. Vaccinations are due."
"Oh my!"
Tohru looked apologetic. "You didn't have to come all the way here... would you like to come in and have some tea?"
"No, it's fine. And don't worry--I do this every year. Shigure's always trying to escape."
"No wonder Shigure-san left in such a hurry just now!" Tohru exclaimed. Hatori relaxed a little at her warm smile. "Anyway, is Yuki in?"
"No," Tohru said cheerfully, "Yuki-kun left awhile ago, I imagine he must be heading there." To think that Yuki is the younger of the two... Shigure is an adult, for goodness sake.
At that moment, he spied movement in the greenery out of the corner of his eye. "I'm sorry, Honda-kun, but I need to go now. That might be Shigure."
Without waiting any longer, Hatori rushed out the doorway and straight towards where he had seen movement. He caught a glimpse of grey hair, and immediately knew that it belonged on the head of the quickly escaping Dog.
Dashing towards it, they began a wild goose chase through the forest, with Hatori slowing closing the gap, little by little.
Hatori huffed. The actual vaccinations hadn't even begun yet, and he was feeling exhausted.
This was going to be a long day.