Fruits Basket Fan Fiction ❯ Belated Gift 2: The Gift that Keeps on Giving ❯ Fixing Messes -temp title- ( Chapter 8 )

“GODDAMMIT!!”

 

Shigure startled violently awake; his chin slipped off the hand propping it up. He fell forward hard against the desk cracking his forehead on the corner.

 

He cried out in pain and Tooru sat straight up in bed head whipping around. She looked muzzily around the room. The house was ringing with noises. Crashes and bangs echoed from the hallway making her confused and unsure of what had woken her.

 

She blinked focusing on Shigure hunched at her desk and clutching his head. A trickle of blood dripped through his fingers.

 

“Shigure-san!” She cried throwing herself from under the covers towards him. She crashed into the piles of books Shigure had brought.

 

“Eeek!” She cried falling forward into Shigure's lap.

 

“Tooru?” Shigure tried to lift his head and focus beyond the sparkles in his vision. “Ah...” He hissed under his breath as the slightest movement made his head swim.

 

“Shigure-san!” Tooru got her legs under her and stayed crouching at his knees trying to see through his hands to his head. She reached up a tentative hand to cover his. “You're hurt!”

 

“What the hell?!”

 

Tooru started and looked over at her shoulder. Kyou stood bristling in the doorway.

 

“K-Kyou?” Shigure said raising his head painfully to look over the top of her head. “What's wrong?”

 

“What the hell are you doing in Tooru's room, you pervert!” Kyou shouted pointing his finger at the confused author.

 

Yuki came stomping up behind him, his mouth half open to say something when he stopped at the scene before him. Tooru at Shigure's knees in just her loose pajamas with her face twisted in fear and concern. His face went tight and his shoulders rigid.

 

Tooru could see the warning signs of a dangerous scene. She quickly stood and put her hands up placatingly. “Please, Shigure-san was just taking care of me... I fell asleep and...”

 

“Don't make excuses for him!” Kyou spat, “If you were sleeping he should have left!”

 

Tooru's face flamed in unfamiliar anger. She put her hands on her hips and stomped her foot. “Now isn't the time for this! Can't you see Shigure-san is hurt?” She flushed all over again at the matching looks of incredulity on Yuki and Kyou's faces. They couldn't remember her ever snapping at them before.

 

She turned back to look at Shigure and saw him gaping at her as well. She put her hand gently to the one clutching his forehead. “Please, let me see...” She said softly. She gently peeled his long fingers away wincing at his hiss of pain.

 

There was an ugly bruise forming on his temple and a shallow cut trickling blood. Her fingers went to gently probe around the area. “What happened?” She asked softly.

 

“Ne,” He smiled, even though it hurt to do so, trying to erase the concern in her face. “It was pretty stupid of me. I fell asleep after carrying those heavy books up for Tooru-kun.” He flinched involuntarily as her finger brushed up against the edges of the wound. “Then something startled me awake and...” He shrugged painfully.

 

“Here, let me-” Tooru started tugging at her pajama sleeve.

 

“That's not necessary, Honda-san.” Yuki said his tone more rigid then he liked. He stepped forward with a handkerchief. “Use this.”

 

Both Tooru and Shigure started at his interruption. They'd nearly forgotten that the other two were there. Both boys were staring at them. Tooru started to pale, had she been acting too familiar? Wouldn't she have done the same if it had been Yuki or Kyou who was hurt?

 

Shigure's face went into an exaggerated pout. He could see the dark suspicion growing in Yuki's eyes and Kyou's mounting confusion. “Ne, is that even sanitary?” He asked.

 

Yuki sighed, “It's clean, you idiot.” He threw the scrap of fabric in Shigure's face then frowned as the move backfired when Tooru plucked it up and pressed it gently to the dog's wound.

 

Kyou started to step into the room but nearly tripped over one of books Tooru had scattered.

 

“What's with this crap?” He asked nudging a book with his toe.

 

“Oh, I...I asked for something to read.” Tooru said absently as she dabbed with the handkerchief. She missed the look of shock that passed between Yuki and Kyou.

 

“Don't you think this is a little...much?” Yuki asked hesitantly. “It would take you months to read all these.” Or rather, years... he revised mentally. It's not that he thought Tooru was stupid... but he'd never seen her read, besides a cookbook or schoolwork.

 

“What was all the noise earlier?” Shigure interrupted quickly, a little embarrassed at the boys looking at his excess of enthusiasm scattered across the floor.

 

Both boys exchanged glances and their faces tensed into matching scowls as they remembered their original reason for being so angry.

 

“That damn dog-” Kyou started.

 

“What did I do now?” Shigure asked plaintively, feeling confused and dazed. The boys hadn't even known he was in Tooru's room, so what where they making so much noise about?

 

“Not you!” Kyou huffed, “The *other* damn dog!”

 

“Kimagure-kun?” Tooru said straightening and looking squarely at the boys for the first time.

 

She kept Yuki's handkerchief pressed lightly against Shigure's wound. She stood close enough that her leg pressed absently up against his thigh and he was eye level with her chest. He couldn't remember the last time she'd been so close to him while Yuki or Kyou were in the room. And she'd never been this physically casual with him in the presence of anyone they knew. He knew it was only out of concern, but it made him prickle with confused feelings. Shigure had a sudden urge to lean forward and rest his forehead against her shoulder. His hand lying lightly on the table itched to wrap around her waist.

 

Instead he clenched it and focused on the conversation in front of him.

 

“What's wrong with Kimagure-kun?” Tooru asked again when the boys just exchanged glances.

 

“There's nothing wrong with him, it's what he did wrong!” Kyou finally burst. He didn't want to make Tooru look more distressed, but it wasn't like they could keep it a secret.

 

“What do you mean?” Shigure asked frowning. He tried to concentrate on finding Kimagure with his mind to get some clue as to what was going on. His head throbbed and he absently placed his hand over Tooru's on his wound taking comfort from her presence. The puppy was doing his level best to hide himself away from being noticed. What have you done now? He thought as his brow furrowed.

 

Yuki tensed as he watched Shigure cover Tooru's hand with his. He expected Tooru to start, flush or pull back. Instead she just absently patted Shigure's shoulder with her other hand. It was bothering him in a way he couldn't quite pin down. He stared hard at Tooru trying to figure out what was different...

 

“Yuki?” The mouse started, finding Shigure's eyes staring back at him with an equal intensity to his stare at Tooru. He looked up to find Tooru looking at him her forehead wrinkled in uncertainty.

 

He took a quick glance at Kyou who was starting to shift uneasily at his side. He cleared his throat. “Your dog, Honda-san, it seems he got into a little mischief while you were sleeping...” He said hesitantly. He felt like he'd missed some opportunity just then, but he didn't know what it was.

 

“Mischief!” Kyou repeated incredulously, not liking the weird tension in the room. He responded by focusing on his anger. “He's created a freakin' disaster area out of my room!”

 

“What?” Tooru said pulling away from Shigure in surprise. She looked at Yuki.

 

Yuki saw Shigure's face flash though some complex emotion before molding itself into a curious mask. His shoulders tightened.

 

“My room too, I'm afraid-” he started but Tooru was already moving past the boys and into the hall.

 

Shigure stood to follow and wobbled dangerously as his head swam. Yuki and Kyou barely gave him a glance as they followed Tooru. He grimaced and tried again to get out of Kimagure just what he'd done. But the puppy remained just a quivering presence in the back of his mind. All he got was feeling vague petulance and vindication. That couldn't be good.

 

The puppy knew that he'd done something wrong but he wasn't owning up to it. Shigure clutched his head as he slowly worked his way to Tooru's door. His head hurt too much to force the issue.

 

“Oh No!” He looked up to see Tooru standing in the hallway with her hands over her mouth in horror. There were papers and clothes strewn all over the hall. She was looking in Yuki's room with her face twisted in alarm.

 

Shigure finally reached them and looked over her shoulder into Yuki's room. It was a disaster area. Kimagure had knocked over his desk's wastebasket and scattered debris all over the room. It looked like he'd torn apart the bed as well; the covers were in a heap at the foot of the bed. One of his pillows had been gutted, leaving feathers and down as a light covering over the whole mess. Some of his notes and binders that had lined the bottom-most shelves of his bookcase were littered about the room, marked with puppy teeth.

 

Tooru stared at the room and then turned helplessly to the boys. Her hands were still over her mouth and it was obvious she was in complete shock. Finally she managed, “K-kyo-kun's room too?” Her words were barely audible through the shield of her fingers.

 

Kyou hesitated. He was angry that his room was a disaster, but he hadn't wanted to make Tooru take the blame. He'd just wanted to yell. It was the damn puppy's fault, not hers anyway. He opened and closed his mouth like a fish.

 

Tooru stepped around him and across the hall to his room. She gave a little distressed sound deep in her throat. Kyou's room was no better then Yuki's. In some ways it was worse. Kyou has so few possessions that seeing them destroyed was even more painful. Kimagure had gotten into Kyou's clothes chest and she could see that the puppy had torn apart his karate gi. His futon was half out of the closet and the corner was torn open and the padding fluff was all over.

 

The puppy had found Kyou's small study desk and had apparently chewed apart one of his pens till it burst. There were trails of ink all over the room, smudged with a few paw prints. The wastebasket here was also spread all over.

 

She turned again, helplessly wringing her hands. She looked back and forth between the boys a horrible weight in her stomach. She could see that their anger had faded and now they were looking at her with matching concerned expressions.

 

“I'm so sorry!” She burst. “I had no idea! I didn't even hear anything!” How awful! Neither of them had protested Kimagure's staying in the house, and now this is how she repaid them letting her dog destroy their things. She looked back and forth between the two doorways. “I'll... I'll clean it up!” She bent and started to pick up pieces of fluff and trash. “I'll replace your things, I'm so sorry!”

 

Kyou and Yuki looked at each other in alarm. They could practically see Tooru's fever working it self up as she worked herself into a tizzy.

 

The cat jumped forward and snatched the wastebasket from her hands. “Stupid! It's not your fault!”

 

“Honda-san.” Yuki said firmly, his resolve tightening as her despairing eyes turned to meet his. “You're still sick. We don't blame you for this, and we don't want to see you make yourself more ill. Please, we can handle this on our own.”

 

Tooru was already shaking her head before he'd finished. “Kimagure-kun is my responsibility! If he's destroyed your things then it's up to me to replace them! And I have to clean this up!”

 

Shigure came up behind her and both boys looked up with matching pleading looks. It was entirely unfair, he decided, that they expected him to fix things when she got over-wrought but wouldn't him be alone in the same room with her otherwise.

 

“Ne, Tooru-kun,” He said lightly placing a large hand on the crown of her head. “Don't you think we should find Gure-kun and make sure he doesn't get into any more trouble?” She twisted slightly to look up at him. He gave her slight smile then winced re-covering his wound with his other hand. “I'd find him myself but...” He shrugged, “It's a little hard this way.”

 

“Shigure-san!” She turned and grabbed the hand that slid off her head between her hands. “Why would Kimagure do this?”

 

“Why don't we go ask him?” Shigure said a little dismayed at how distraught she was. He looked up and away from her face as if listening for something. The truth was that he could `hear' Kimagure just as well if he'd kept gazing at her, but he couldn't keep looking at that needy face without drawing her close. And he couldn't do that while Yuki and Kyou were just an arm-length away.

 

He turned and faced the boys. “Did you see him? Before you came upstairs?”

 

Tooru turned to look at them, still clutching tight to Shigure's hand. “He didn't... I mean...” She bit her lip wondering what he could have done to the rest of the house.

 

“I didn't see nothing else wrecked.” Kyou said scowling. He crossed his arms, “He wasn't downstairs that I saw...” he trailed off. “Maybe he's outside somewhere?” He looked at Shigure, questions evident in his eyes. Couldn't the dog hear his own stupid pet? He could hear any cat within miles of him. Shigure should be able to hear one stupid dog. Maybe he'd hit his head harder then he'd thought.

 

Tooru turned her eyes to Yuki. He blinked. “He's not...” Then his eyes widened as he turned his head as if he'd heard something. “The base!” He cried and started down the stairs.

 

Shigure was left looking dumbly at his empty hand when Tooru gasped and pulled away. She ran after Yuki, right down the stairs and out back without any shoes. The dog looked at the equally dumbfounded cat and then hurried, as much as he could with his aching, swimming head, after the pair.

 

Before he could reach them he heard them, Kimagure's puppy bark and a squeaking of Yuki's distressed rats. He saw Tooru standing with Yuki in the middle of his garden, looking much the worse for wear.

 

Her pj bottoms were muddy and she looked very small and confused. Kimagure crouched behind her legs barking at a small sea of rats that were surrounding her and Yuki. The rats squeaked in indignation clambering through the rows of the garden.

 

Shigure could see why they were angry. The rows, usually pin neat and weeded to an inch of their lives, were dug up and destroyed. Yuki must be feeling furious to be drawing this many rats in he thought vaguely. Then he understood it must have been the other way around, the rats were furious at their sanctuary being disturbed and had called in their own “Big Rat” to take care of the problem.

 

Right then he didn't look capable of taking care of anything. He stood looking dumbly down at an uprooted plant in his hands. The rats were running around his feet squeaking and calling, demanding action.

 

Shigure winced, the sharp noises making his head ache worse. Kimagure's barking and the mind shout behind it made it even harder to think. How much harder did it have to be for Yuki with all those voices shouting at him? He felt a moment of sympathy, before he glanced again at Tooru. His lip curled in distain, couldn't the Rat see how this was effecting her? He had to diffuse the situation before she burst into tears.

 

He reached the pair and Kimagure came jumping over to him imperiously demanding Big Dog's help in routing out the pesky rats.

 

Shigure's hand shot down and grasped him by his ruff. Kimagure yelped in shock and even the rats fell silent in surprise. When they'd felt Shigure's approach they thought that he would join in the destruction of their garden the little terror had started.

 

Shigure pushed down forcing Kimagure to go down on his belly and kept enough pressure on him to keep him there. The puppy quivered in confusion. He struggled briefly, whining, but Shigure was immovable.

 

“Yuki, send the rats away. Kimagure won't be causing any more damage here.” He said calmly. He couldn't look at Tooru. He'd heard her little cry of distress at his treatment of her pet, but it had been necessary.

 

“Y-yes.” Yuki said, starting out of his stupor. He blinked and looked around at the teeming mass of rats at his feet. “Go on now...” He drew a deeper breath and said more firmly, finally causing them to move along, “It will be fine. Please.”

 

They brushed up against his feet and ankles in comfort before melting back into the woods. Tooru approached Yuki hesitantly. She looked down at the plant he held in his hands.

 

“Oh.... no...”She breathed. “The strawberry plants...”

 

She put her hand over the plant in his hands. “Oh, Yuki-kun, I'm so sorry...the strawberry plants we worked so hard on...” Her eyes grew misty.

 

Yuki looked up and he couldn't keep his expressive eyes from showing his dismay. “Honda-san, I...” He looked down at her hands in his. His long fingers clenched around her hand and he stepped a little closer.

 

A loud yelp startled them apart. Shigure stood lifting Kimagure harshly by his ruff and quickly pinning the struggling puppy under and arm and against his chest.

 

“Ne, lets get back inside.” He said, his voice sounding strained to his own ears. “Tooru-kun shouldn't be outside in this cold.”

 

“Y-yes.” Tooru said starting to feel the cold earth squishing up and around her feet. Yuki put a hand to her back and she looked up at him with dewy eyes. “Yuki-kun I'm so sorry...” she apologized again.

 

“It...Its okay Honda-san.” Yuki managed with some obvious difficulty. “Let's... let's go inside.”

 

Shigure walked stiffly behind them, keeping the squirming puppy in check and trying to ignore how closely Yuki was walking to Tooru. His jaw clenched as he watched Yuki's hand on the small of her back begin to circle comfortingly.

 

***

 

Shigure stopped by a tree at the edge of the yard and nodded to Yuki and Tooru when they paused and looked back. “Go ahead inside. Tell Kyou to bring me Kimagure's leash, would you?”

 

“What is Shigure-san going to do?” Tooru said in a small voice. The older man had a tense dark look to him that made her shiver. Yuki heard the distress in her voice and stepped a little closer, shielding her back with his body and letting her take comfort in his body heat. The hand at the small of her back moved to grip her shoulder.

 

Shigure gave her a slight smile, one that struggled to be as reassuring as he meant it. “Ne, I don't think it would be a good idea for Kimagure to come inside right now. I'm just going to make sure he stays out of trouble.”

 

Tooru nodded and let Yuki lead her into the house. They passed Kyou on the way in and he ran without arguing to get the dog's leash. Tooru looked pale and weak, and the cat didn't want to do anything that could cause her further distress.

 

“Let's go get cleaned up.” Yuki suggested gently after they did the best they could to clean the mud off their feet before entering the house.

 

Tooru nodded and let him lead her upstairs.

 

It felt like everything was falling apart. She'd fallen asleep dreaming of Shigure's smile. She'd woken up to a nightmare. Kimagure had wrecked Yuki and Kyou's precious things, and the garden... Both dogs in her life were acting strange. Shigure was hurt and that look on his face... it reminded her too much of the times he'd gotten angry at her.

 

It made her stomach clench and hurt. She placed a hand over her belly.

 

“Are you feeling ill?” Yuki asked, startling her into looking up. They'd reached her doorway and she looked back at her toes.

 

“I'm okay.” She whispered. She stepped into her room and brushed a book with her toe. She bent down to pick it up. Shigure's books. She'd been so excited about getting to know him. Seeing that tense, dark look on his face made her doubt her resolve. She began to mechanically pick up the books. She wasn't as strong as Kagura, she didn't know if she could get over her fear the way she had. She frowned at her own thoughts, hadn't she promised herself that she'd follow her mother's motto? She'd hardly begun and she was giving up.

 

“Honda-san shouldn't be doing that.” Yuki said, not liking this quiet, introspective Tooru. “Let me help.” Before she could protest he plucked the books from her fingers. He bent quickly and began picking the books from the floor. “Why don't you go change your clothes and I'll get these together for you.”

 

“Yuki-kun doesn't-” She started but was cut off.

 

“I want to.” He smiled gently. “Please go.”

 

Tooru fled, feeling guilty and undeserving of Yuki's unrelenting kindness. She'd just been responsible, no matter how indirectly, of destroying not only his belongings and room, but his only sanctuary. His secret base, the place he treasured above all others, was gone. And still he worried about her. Couldn't he see that she wasn't worthy of it?

 

She sniffled a little in the bathroom, but was sure to clean herself up before she walked back to her room. She didn't want to burden Yuki any further.

 

She found him looking idly through one of Shigure's books. The rest were stacked neatly on her bedside table in two tall stacks.

 

They stared awkwardly at each other. Yuki cleared his throat. “Why are all these here?” He asked indicating the books.

 

“Oh... well...” Tooru walked over and ran her fingers over the stack. Because, she thought to herself, I wanted to know Shigure... I wanted to see him smile; I wanted to forget how afraid I am of him. “It's just that spending so much time with Shigure-san recently, I realized that I don't know him very well.” She smiled and it felt painful to her. She didn't understand him at all. She wondered if it showed on her face. “I thought that I could come to understand him better if I read his books.” It was the truth; in it's most innocent interpretation.

 

Yuki looked at her seriously. He felt a sense of dread that he couldn't explain curling in his middle. “Honda-san....” He said. He stopped and seemed to reconsider his words before pushing on. “I don't think you shouldn't try to get close to Shigure.”

 

Tooru opened her mouth to protest but Yuki cut her off with a shake of his head.

 

“Shigure plays games.” He closed his eyes and shook his head again, trying to figure out how to explain. “Everybody's lives, they're just game pieces to him. He does nothing but try to benefit himself.” He could see Tooru's face clouding and he reached forward to take her hands.

 

Tooru was lost in Yuki's eyes, in the conviction he felt. “He's always been that way. Promise me you won't try to get close to him.” Her hands clenched in his.

 

She started to pull away and he tried one last tack. “I've told you before that he was described as a jellyfish, hard to grasp and drifting on the waves. But Honda-san, do you know what happens when you manage to grab a jellyfish?” She shook her head wordlessly. “You get stung. Please Honda-san-”

 

Tooru pulled away. She turned to the books and laid her hands flat atop them. “I can't promise Yuki-kun that.” She looked over her shoulder at Yuki, looking beautiful and prince-like with worry in every line of his body. “Shigure-san has been very kind to me.” And he had, he'd been so many things to her. He'd been her benefactor, her lover, her nurse... he'd been so many good things she wanted to know more about that side of him. She wanted to know what made him dark too. Maybe if she could just shine a little light... she could chase that dark Shigure away.

 

Yuki was ready to protest more when a horrible howling started outside. Tooru brushed past him. It sounded like Kimagure was in pain! She almost ran into Shigure as he was coming in the house.

 

“Shigure-san, Kimagure-kun!” She asked.

 

Shigure held up an arm, blocking her from rushing past him. Kimagure continued to howl out in the yard. “He's just upset that I leashed him to the tree. He's fine.”

 

“He may be fine, but I think my ears are going to burst!” Kyou spat from where he sat at the table. His hands were clutched over his sensitive ears. “Can't you shut the stupid thing up?”

 

Shigure looked over his shoulder at tree he'd leashed the puppy to. The dog's howling cut off with a yelp. A moment later a pitiful whining started.

 

The junninshi dog smiled and shrugged hiding his hands in his sleeves. His knuckles went white as he gripped his own forearms; if the audible whining was bad the constant crying in his mind was nearly unbearable. “That's the best I can do I'm afraid.”

 

“I'll-I'll go calm him down.” Tooru said and started again outside. Shigure quick sidestepped in front of her.

 

“Ne, Tooru-kun,” He said still smiling, keeping his eyes shut as he did so he wouldn't have to look into her eyes. “That's not such a good idea. Kimagure wasn't a good boy today, and he has to understand that that's not acceptable behavior.”

 

“But-” Tooru started, wringing her hands. The puppy sounded like it was crying. It was such a horrible, heart-rending sound.

 

“Do you know why Kimagure misbehaved-”

 

“Misbehaved?!” Kyou cried from the table, “He was a damn natural disaster.”

 

Shigure rolled his eyes and ignored the interruption. “Kimagure was jealous.”

 

“Jealous?” Tooru repeated. She heard a noise behind her and looked at Yuki, newly arrived at the bottom of the stairs. “Of... of what?”

 

“Tooru-chan's attention.” Shigure smiled again. “Tooru-chan's been distracted these past few days. When she's not sleeping she's been with Yuki-kun, Kyou-kun and Tooru-chan's pretty friends.” Or me he added silently. “Or she's entertained visitors like Kagura-chan.”

 

“Kagura was here?” Kyou interrupted again, his surprise plain. “Did she...” He stopped his face looking more serious and mature then was normal for him. “Was she ok?”

 

Shigure cocked his head and considered Kyou. He squirmed under Shigure's stare. The dog knew Kyou didn't dislike the boar as much as he protested he did, even though he'd probably never be able to return the affection she craved. It took a lot of courage to live your life as truthfully as Kyou did.

 

“She will be.” Shigure replied briefly.

 

He watched Yuki's eyes flicker at the comment and knew the mouse would probably be making more visits to his family. Silently he was glad, Kagura wasn't as strong as she seemed.

 

“Anyway,” Shigure said turning back to Tooru, waving his hand in the air as if to brush aside the tangent. “Kimagure has been feeling left out. He's used to having all of Tooru-kun's attention.”

 

“But why...” Tooru started again.

 

“Because, when he's bad Tooru-chan pays attention to him again. You may scold him, but afterwards you comfort him to make him stop crying.” Shigure smiled. “How can he learn not to do bad things when Tooru-chan keeps rewarding him?”

 

“Typical of a dog.” Yuki said cuttingly. “Hanajima-san was right, there is a resemblance. He's just like you. You whine and cry and Honda-san rewards you for it all the time.”

 

Tooru blinked at Yuki a little surprised at the amount of venom in his tone. Yuki stared at Shigure, not missing the sudden dark flash that flew across his features. The dog's eyes narrowed.

 

“Ne, it looks like Kimagure isn't the only one feeling a little jealous.” Shigure smiled, his face clearing as quickly as it had darkened.

 

“Eh?” Tooru repeated looking between them in confusion. She didn't understand this sudden tension between Yuki and Shigure.

 

Shigure looked at Tooru and then gave Yuki a glance. “I think Yuki-kun wishes he could have been home alone with Tooru-chan, making sweet love-love moments.” He waved a hand airily back and forth. “He wishes he could have been the one to nurse Tooru-chan back to health.”

 

“Oh, shut up you fool!” Yuki said, his face blazing. He stomped past Tooru not willing to meet her eyes; “I'm going out to see if there is anything salvageable in the garden.”

 

“Ah! Yuki-kun!” Tooru started, but he didn't even pause, quickly disappearing into woods behind the house. Tooru could see the quick movements of rats as they left hiding places in the grasses and bushes to follow him. She bit her lip and looked up at Shigure. What had he meant by that? Yuki couldn't possibly think that way about her.

 

Shigure grimaced and gripped his forehead with one large hand. He shouldn't have snapped like that. He'd gotten the rat off his back for now, but that little show would be coming back to haunt him he was sure.

 

“Stupid Rat.” Kyou muttered, hating all of this weird tension that seemed to be infusing the house. It felt like the beginning of a rainstorm to him. It was that same heavy feeling of dread, when he could feel in his bones that some squall was going to start soon. It made him run at the mouth in a vain attempt to brush it away. “Getting all upset over a stupid garden.”

 

“Yuki-kun worked hard on his garden.” Tooru said softly. It was about as close as she ever got to directly disagreeing with someone. She looked back out the door to the woods Yuki had disappeared in to. Kimagure's continued whining seemed almost appropriate.

 

“Whatever.” Kyou said defensively. He stood and looked away from her, feeling guilty for no real reason he could understand. “I'm going to go clean up my room.”

 

“Oh,” Tooru turned to him. “There is an extra futon in the linen closet. Please, leave the yours in my room and I'll mend it later.”

 

“When you're better.” Kyou said looking at her sternly. “I don't want you getting sick over my stupid futon.”

 

“Yes.” Tooru ducked her head, accepting Kyou's awkward olive branch. He moved past her, pausing just before he went up the stairs to lay a hand on the crown of her head.

 

“Stop worrying about the rest of us and get better. Things will never get back to normal if you aren't walking around here with that stupid smile of yours again.” His hand slid through the back of her hair and he walked quickly up the stairs. “Hey! Do we have any junk for getting off ink stains?” He shouted from upstairs.

 

Tooru blinked, her hand touching the hair he'd stroked, “Yes, there is some solvent under the sink in the laundry.” She called up the stairs.

 

“Thanks.” Kyou's voice floated down. “I'll get it later. Get back in bed stupid.”

 

“Not how I would have put it, but I agree.” Shigure felt detached, like he was watching himself from outside his body. Kimagure was still incessantly babbling apologies in the back of his mind and his audible whines where grating to his sensitive ears. His head was throbbing painfully, making him feel sick to his stomach. Though he looked at her with a smile, all he could see behind his eyes was Yuki's hand at the small of Tooru's back, Kyou's hand weaving through her hair.

 

He wondered if this was how Haru felt when he went black, this maelstrom of disconnected emotions. He wanted to grab those two boys by the ruffs of their necks and leash them to the tree with Kimagure. That was a lie. All he really wanted to do was closet himself with Tooru and prove to her over and over that he was the only one who should touch her that way. His forehead throbbed and his grip over the wound tightened.

 

He felt a feather light touch on his arm. He opened eyes he hadn't realized he'd closed. Tooru looked up at him with her readable eyes full of worry, concern and fear.

 

“Shigure-san, does it hurt very much?” She stood on her tiptoes, slightly leaning her weight on his shoulder as she reached to touch his forehead. She gave a small soothing caress to his white knuckled hand and then fell back to look up at him better. “Should I call Hatori-san?”

 

He reached down and stroked a hand through her hair. Her brow puckered as he didn't answer. His fingers gripped the back of her neck pulling her closer and angling her head up. He felt her tremble under his fingers as he bent and brushed his lips against hers. She opened her mouth to ask some question or perhaps voice a warning. He covered it completely with his, his tongue dipping to taste her quickly. He drew back, but kept his grip on her neck.

 

He couldn't look her in the eye yet; he wanted to hurt her too much. He couldn't let her see that darkness. He brushed his cheek against hers and breathed deep of her scent. Sometimes he thought he was more dog than person, especially when he was scenting. He could smell her fear, her worry. He wondered what love smelt like.

 

“Yes.” He choked out, “Call Hatori. Please. Then go to your room, please...stay there.” He dragged his fingers off of her. He stalked away to his room. He opened the door with a snap.

 

“Shigure-san?” Tooru whispered. He could feel her presence at his back, his stomach rolled as he pictured the things he wanted to do to her. He wanted to tie her up; he wanted to keep her in a dark room all to himself. He wanted to lay her flat and cover her with every inch of himself.

 

“Go to your room!” He said, his words harsh and pained. He stepped into his room and slammed the door shut. He took two steps and fell to his knees nearly retching.

 

“I'll call Hatori-san!” She said, and he could hear the panic under her concern. His sharp ears heard her bare feet slap against the floor taking her away from him.

 

A thousand thoughts crashed behind his eyes, between his ears. Kimagure was still endlessly apologizing. He gripped his head.

 

“Shut up,” he whispered. “Shut up! Shutupshutupshutup!”

 

There was a yelp and the puppy went silent.

 

::0::0::0::0::

Hatori frowned at the store's sign. He'd been here a few times before and Ayame's ridiculous sign never failed to make him shake his head. It was uniquely suited to the snake's nature but he wondered how he got any customers at all.

 

But what worried him now was the store itself. It was dark and there was a hastily scratched “Closed” sign in the window. That wasn't Ayame's style at all. If he were going to be closed unexpectedly, he'd still make a sign that matched with the flamboyant style of the shop. Hatori fished in his pocket for the spare key.

 

He'd been putting this off for too long. He'd tried calling Ayame, but the snake hadn't been answering his cell. Ayame used to call him once every few days. He'd chatter about nothing and try to convince Hatori to come out into town with him. It had been almost ritualistic, Ayame would cajole him to come out, Hatori would remind him that unlike the snake he had responsibilities. Ayame kept him in touch with the real world, chattering about celebrities, local festivals he was advertising at. Hatori would keep him in tune with what was going on at the honke and with the rest of his family, especially his brother.

 

But he hadn't heard from Ayame since the incident at Shigure's. He'd only asked Shigure about it once, but he was sure the snake hadn't contacted him either. He hadn't even had any contact with his brother. It wasn't like Ayame to be so silent, to cut himself off so completely.

 

He unlocked the door to the shop and stepped in. There were lights on, so someone had to be here. He had to see what was keeping Ayame so uncharacteristically silent.

 

“Hello?” He called out, looking around liking less and less what he was seeing. There were signs posted around the store advertising sales and release dates of fabrics and new products. They were stale and out of date by at least a week. How long had the store been closed?

“I'm sorry! We're closed.” A feminine voice called out, approaching from the back. “I thought the door was locked...oh!” Mine blinked at him in surprise. “Hatori-sensei.”

 

“Mine-san.” Hatori acknowledged. He'd never felt quite comfortable around the woman, unsure of her relationship with his cousin and how much she really knew about...everything. And there was her outlandish-ness, so suited to Ayame's. Right now she was dressed in a simpler cosplay outfit then usual, a simple sailor schoolgirl uniform. It was vaguely modeled after the female uniform from Yuki's school and it made him uncomfortable.

 

She seemed to have noticed his look. “Ayame-san asked me to change.” She said in a small, dispirited voice. “He's never asked me to change before.” The normally vivacious woman was sapped of her usual energy. Her tone and attitude spoke volumes.

 

“Where is he?” Hatori asked.

 

“Upstairs.” She gestured loosely behind her where the stairs up to Ayame's apartment led. “Can you help him Hatori-sensei?”

 

He glanced at her, the uncomfortable feeling growing with every moment. He didn't respond, unwilling to give her an answer that might be a lie. He brushed past her and went up the stairs.

 

He didn't bother knocking on the door to his apartment, summarily opening it and stepping inside. Almost immediately he felt his foot crunch in something disturbing. He looked down to see half a smashed tea saucer. It crackled obscenely under his foot.

 

Ayame love tea, and the pomp and ceremony that went along with it, almost as much clothing design and handcrafts. He had amassed a huge collection of teacups and saucers that he usually treated with care most reserved for family heirlooms or children. For him to break a saucer would usually have prompted a quick but elaborate funeral. Never would he just leave the shattered remains on the floor.

 

He looked around. The room was full of tea paraphernalia. Tea cups of various shapes and sizes were scattered around the room, some with tea in them, some empty, some upset and others teetering on precarious perches. Unsettled, he picked one half full cup off of an unsteady position on the edge of a sofa arm. He heard a rattle in the small kitchen off the living room. He set the teacup next to a trio of others on an end table and walked into the kitchen.

 

Ayame was dressed in just one of his undergowns, and his feet were bare. It looked like he'd been living in that gown for too long. It was spotted with dark stains and was more wrinkled than should be possible. His long hair was up in a messy braid, though at this point there was almost more hair falling out of the braid then in it. Hatori swallowed convulsively. This was not how Ayame behaved, ever. He was usually immaculate.

 

The snake worked furiously at something over the sink, not noticing the dragon's presence in the slightest.

 

“Ayame?” He finally said.

 

The other man whirled, his braid slapping against the counter. “Tori? Tori, you came?”

 

“I'm here Ayame.” He said softly, not liking the wild look in his cousin's eyes. “What's the matter?”

 

“I can't make it.” Ayame said shakily. “It won't come out right. It's all ruined.” He held up the white teapot he'd been cleaning. “The tea, I never got to make it for Yuki. How will I ever make it for him now?”

 

Hatori took a deep breath and expelled it. “Put the teapot down Ayame, come into the living room.”

 

Ayame obeyed him to the letter, the teapot dropped from his hands to shatter into a thousand pieces on the floor. He stepped mechanically through the shards with his bare feet and into the living room. Hatori winced to see droplets of blood drip onto the exquisite Indian rugs Ayame had scattered through the small apartment.

 

Hatori paused to grab the first aide kit he knew to be on the top shelf of the kitchen and followed him out. Ayame was sitting on the couch with his head in his hands.

 

The doctor sat next to him and opened the first aide kit, he picked out what he would need and then reached for Ayame's foot. The other man obediently slid to the side so that he leaned up against the arm of the couch and both feet were in Hatori's lap. He began meticulously cleaning his feet, plucking small porcelain shards out of the pad of his skin and cleaning them out.

 

“Tell me what's going on.” Hatori said softly as he worked.

 

Ayame took a shuddering breath. “What have I done, Tori?” He scrubbed at his face with his hands. “Why can't I get it out of my mind? I can't do anything. I can't make tea. I wanted to make tea for Yuki. But how can I?”

 

Hatori was silent. This was mainly his fault. Ayame always leapt into things with no thoughts of the consequences. He reacted to things as they came. He wasn't a person who could be left to stew about a problem without falling to pieces. It never would have occurred to him that his little liaison with Tooru would have been a problem if Hatori hadn't thrown it in his face before he'd left the house. He shouldn't have left him alone this long.

 

“Tori...” Hatori looked up to see Ayame looking at him seriously. “I can't stop thinking... remembering.” His golden eyes nearly glowed. “What did we do?”

 

Hatori couldn't keep that gaze. He looked down and concentrated on wrapping his feet in bandages. “Something that we shouldn't have.”

 

“I can't stop thinking about her.” Ayame said softly. “She... she wanted to, didn't she?”

 

Hatori closed his eyes and took a deep breath, releasing it slowly. It never failed to amaze him how naïve Ayame could be. He assumed everyone thought and felt as he did. He would never dream of maliciously harming someone. If he didn't want to do something, he simply wouldn't do it. He was honest to a fault.

 

It was part of what got him in so much trouble with Yuki. When he was younger Ayame hadn't wanted to deal with the problem Yuki presented in his life, so he simply hadn't. It hadn't occurred to him that he was hurting Yuki in the process, not until later when Ayame himself felt that isolation... then he regretted. Then he acted, straightforward, honestly, and with the finesse of a sledgehammer.

 

So Ayame couldn't understand what drove Shigure to manipulate the woman he loved into doing something she didn't want to do. If he loved a person he would pursue them straightforward and with enthusiasm. In his mind, Tooru would have participated because she wanted to. It was perfectly logical to him that she would be swept away by the `romance' of the moment. Not because she was afraid of disobeying Shigure, not because Shigure had twisted things around so insanely.

 

But now he was thinking of the consequences and realizing that things couldn't have been as simple as he thought. If Tooru really had wanted to be with all of them, why would she fear telling Yuki? If it was really okay for him to have been with her, why did Ayame now fear Yuki finding out? It made him re-examine everything, doubt everything.

 

But beyond that, there was the allure of Tooru herself. She was like a dream come true, an outsider, and a woman, who accepted them in all ways, even with her body. She was someone who knew that they were different and damaged and still reacted with such a potent mix of desire and sweet innocent acceptance. It had been easy to ignore that draw when she'd been just a girl who might be paired up with one of the `boys.'

 

Hatori was betting that Ayame was having the same problem he was. He couldn't forget now that Tooru was a woman. He couldn't put her in that safe box of untouchable in his mind any longer. He'd already touched, tasted, and craved more. No wonder Shigure was so twisted, she was damn addicting. Hatori had woken from more than one disturbing dream about her, found himself having a waking fantasy about the feel of her skin, the warmth of her mouth...

 

“Tori, Tori,” Ayame moaned tucking his newly bandaged feet beneath him, “How will I ever face Yuki again? How will I ever face her again?” He pushed his hair back and stared at Hatori inching forward to get the answers he craved. “How can Gure be living with them both?” He dropped his forehead onto Hatori's shoulder, sagging into him in exhaustion.

 

Hatori had no answers for him; they were all the same questions he'd asked himself. But the answer was easier for him. He'd lie. He'd keep the whole mess wrapped tight inside where it would only sicken him. Ayame couldn't do that. He'd never been able to, and judging by the state he'd gotten himself into just the thought of living that kind of lie was destroying him.

 

There was only one solution that he could see. Ayame couldn't keep any secret, and not a secret of this magnitude. He shifted so that Ayame's weight rested on his neck and chest. He gently pushed him forward; Ayame straightened to look at him quizzically. Hatori took a long look at him. His hair was lank and unwashed, he had hollows under his eyes, and his skin was sallow.

 

Hatori took another deep breath and moved his hand over Ayame's eyes. He was doing to do the right thing. The only solution.

 

“Tori.” Ayame said softly, and the dragon felt his lashes brushing against the palm of his hand. “What are you doing?”

 

“What I have to.” He said softly, and took that day from Ayame's memory.

 

::0::0::0::0::

 

Ayame would recover, though he'd be confused about his behavior. Hatori had put the suggestion of a fever, an illness in his mind and would only have to hope that it would take. He reinforced it with a short talk with Mine, feeding her what she wanted to hear. Ayame had been ill. He'd been delirious. He'd given him something to sleep, he might be disoriented for a few days. He'd probably been embarrassed about how he'd behaved, so Mine shouldn't say anything about it.

 

He'd spoken only briefly with the woman regarding Ayame's care when his cell rang stridently. He glanced quickly at the number and exited the shop to take the phone call on the street.

 

“Shigure?” He asked. He already felt sick and shaky, he always did after using his abilities, now he felt dread.

 

“Hatori-san?” He was startled to hear a feminine voice on the other end. “Hatori-san, I tried calling your office, but you weren't there and they said you weren't going to be there and so I called your house but you weren't there either. I called your office again to ask where you were but they didn't know, and I'm sorry, I know they said that this number is only for emergencies, and they're not supposed to give it out, but I found it in Shigure-san's book, so I called it but I'm sorry if I wasn't supposed to but I didn't know-”

 

“Tooru-kun?” He interrupted, striding over and getting in his car. “What's wrong?”

 

“I'm supposed to be in my room.” She said in a small voice. “But Hatori-san, I think Shigure-san is really hurt.”

 

“What happened?” He asked and regretted it before the words were out of his mouth.

 

“Kimagure was jealous, so there was a big mess and Yuki-kun and Kyou-kun were very mad, and the loud noise startled him awake and he was bleeding.” She said in a nonsensical rush.

 

Hatori took a deep breath, started the car and maneuvered it out into traffic. He chose his next question carefully. “Where was he bleeding?”

 

“On his forehead.” Tooru replied. “He hit it.” She added after a short pause.

 

“On what?” Though he wondered more if someone else had hit the Shigure with something. After the scene he just witnessed at Ayame's he could understand someone wanting to visit grief on the dog.

 

“The corner of the desk.” There was a breathy pause, “Shigure-san really, really didn't look well.”

 

“I'm on my way over.” Hatori said, his mind only half on the traffic around him. “Where is he now? Is he conscious?”

 

“Shigure-san went into his room. He was conscious then.” She sounded doubtful. “Shigure-san said I should go to my room.” He could almost hear her shifting from foot to foot. “I should be in my room.”

 

Hatori frowned; there was something wrong with the way she kept saying that. “Tooru-kun, did something else happen?”

 

“Hatori-san is coming?” She avoided the question.

 

“I can see the house now.” He replied. He saw the front door open and her clutching the phone to her ear as she scanned for him. She waved at him and ducked back inside.

 

Hatori grabbed his bag from the back seat and jogged up the front steps. Tooru was waiting for him outside Shigure's study. She looked spooked.

 

“Shigure-san, I'm sorry, I couldn't go to my room.” She whispered to the door twisting her fingers. A mournful howling started out on the lawn. “Kimagure-kun.” She explained to Hatori, “He was bad, but I'm not supposed to reward him for his bad behavior, because then how will he learn?”

 

Hatori shook his head, what was going on here? Tooru shot a worried look at the study door. She seemed to steel herself, “Shigure-san? Shigure-san? Hatori-san is here.” There was a shuffling sound on the other side of the door but the door didn't open. Tooru opened it jumping when she saw Shigure right on the other side.

 

He still held his hand to his forehead. He blinked at Tooru and Hatori and then looked over their heads at the sliding door to the lawn. He frowned and a look of fierce concentration came over him. The howling on the lawn cut off and for a moment there was blessed silence. Shigure sighed relaxing. Then the pitiful whining started again and his shoulders tensed.

 

“Shigure.” The author turned to look at Hatori. “Tooru-kun was worried about you. Let me take a look to make her feel better.”

 

Shigure looked at Tooru, still frowning and tense. “Tooru-kun should be in bed.” She should be safely away from him. He'd managed to suppress the darkness that wanted him to do such awful things, but he didn't know how long that control would last. It was easier when Hatori was here, he'd always been his conscious, but he didn't know if it would be enough.

 

Tooru shifted from foot to foot. “Shigure-san,” She said uncertainly, “I'm fine, but Shigure-san is hurt.”

 

Shigure just sighed and stepped back into his study. The truth was he wanted her close to him, and with Hatori here he was a little less worried about doing something he shouldn't. When she was close and looking at him with such worried focused eyes he didn't feel so afraid that she was slipping away from him. When she was close he didn't have to worry about other people's hands touching her, other eyes looking at her.

 

He sat down, leaning against his desk. Tooru sat down a little behind him and looked up hopefully at Hatori as he kneeled in front of the dog.

 

“Let's start with the wound itself.” Hatori said calmly. “Tooru-kun, please turn on the desk lamp for a little more light.”

 

Tooru quickly obeyed, Shigure shrank back as if the light hurt him. Hatori took some bandages and gauze from his bag and slipped on a pair of gloves. He gently pried Shigure's hand from over his wound.

 

Shigure looked up at him and chuckled weakly. “Gloves? Ne, do you think I'm dirty or something?”

 

“You forget,” Hatori said, glad that the dog was still showing some humor, “I know where you've been.”

 

He swabbed and probed at the injury looking at it critically from several angles. “Well, it's stopped bleeding, and it's not too deep. Stitches won't be required.” He looked at Shigure blandly as he applied bandage. “Pity.”

 

Shigure drew back in mock horror, “I knew it, I knew that you just liked to be mean and hurt me.” His tone was jovial, but he winced when he tried to toss his head back for emphasis. “Aaah.” He muttered under his breath, letting his head fall forward and reaching to cover the cut again.

 

Tooru made a concerned noise and patted at his shoulder, Shigure felt a little more of his tension leave him. She was acting so unafraid, sitting so close to him. Hatori batted his hands away and pushed him back upright.

 

“Now let me take a look at your eyes.” Hatori said sternly. He held up a little penlight and flashed it back and forth in Shigure's eyes. The dog winced but tried not to flinch, and tracked it with his eyes. “Pupils look normal. Close your eyes, I'm going to make a noise, tell me which ear you hear it out of.”

 

He rubbed his fingers together making a soft but audible shush-shush noise. Shigure's brow furrowed, but he guessed correctly every time.

 

He looked at Shigure and pursed his lips. “Answer these questions seriously Shigure, I need to make sure that your brains aren't more damaged then they already were. Do you understand?”

 

Shigure leaned back against his desk, keeping his eyes closed. He gave a slight nod and a sigh. Kimagure's mental voice had degenerated; it was less words now and more just projected desperation and fear. He'd never been punished this long and was convinced that Shigure and Tooru were discarding him. He thought he was being cast out of the little pack/family and was terrified. Between the throbbing from his wound and mind assault he could feel the familiar prickles of a massive migraine looming.

 

“Fine then. How old are you?” Hatori started, rattling off basic questions to check his memory. Shigure correctly navigated most of them, successfully naming his age, his birthday, the month and the day. He stumbled when Hatori asked him the time.

 

“Time?” Shigure's eyes opened a crack, he winced at the light in the room and quickly closed them again. “It's....I don't know....”

 

“Please think Shigure.” Hatori said seriously. “I'm not asking for the exact hour, can you tell me the time of day?”

 

“Sometime after noon?” Shigure guessed.

 

Hatori stopped and frowned, it was hours after noon and much closer to being evening. Had the other man lost time and not realized it?

 

“That's not exactly a fair question, Hatori-san.” Tooru said suddenly, then blushed when Shigure peeped at her out of the corner of his eye with an arched brow and Hatori turned to look at her. “Well, it's just that Shigure-san is often confused about the time... he says “good morning” when it should be “good evening” and “good night” when it should be “good morning.” Shigure-san keeps odd hours-” She looked up aware that didn't sound exactly complimentary, “Only because he works very hard on his writing and doesn't like to stop, so sometimes he stays up all night, sleeps during the day and then he gets confused....” She stopped her hands twisting in her pajamas. “Well... I jut mean, it's not a very fair question to ask Shigure-san.”

 

“That's true.” Hatori agreed gravely. “Let's move on then...You may feel silly, but please try to do each step to the letter...” He commanded Shigure to open do a series of actions, and Tooru had to put a hand over her mouth to suppress a laugh.

 

She watched as Shigure stuck out his tongue and moved it side to side, arched an eyebrow on command, held up one shoulder and kept it there as Hatori pushed. Shigure gave her a long-suffering look as he caught her nervous smile as he was going through series of expressions for Hatori, first smiling then grimacing on command.

 

“Ne, it's not funny.” He complained when Hatori finished. He sounded so much like his normal self, not the scary Shigure from earlier, and not like someone suffering from a serious injury that she could help a giggle from escaping.

 

Shigure pouted and she covered her face in embarrassment. She tried to quell her giggles as she began to apologize, “I'm sorry, I know that Shigure-san isn't being funny, but I'm just so glad that Shigure-san doesn't seem to be hurt. I was... so scared, Shigure-san seemed so different, and...” And suddenly she wasn't holding back giggles she was holding back sniffles and tears as the relief hit her. Her shoulders trembled as she tried to keep it all in.

 

“I'm sorry.” Shigure said scooting closing and placing a gentle hand on her knee, “I worried Tooru-chan.” Tooru expelled a long breath and leaned forward a little leaning against his shoulder. Shigure's hand tightened on her knee.

 

Hatori coughed reminding them of his presence. “Almost done, just a few more quick tests...” He looked away as they guilty broke apart. Hatori stood and held his hand out to Shigure, “Come on, stand up.” He frowned when Shigure wobbled on his way up. He let go of him and his dark look deepened as he watched his friend unconsciously sway in place. “Walk to the door and back.” The other man obeyed, but stumbled on his way and couldn't seem to keep a straight line. Hatori had him move this or that leg and arm on command making sure they'd react as the author requested.

 

“Okay, you can stop. One last thing.” Shigure wobbled back over to the desk and sat down next to Tooru. Hatori pulled out a needle. Shigure recoiled.

 

“Ne, what do I need a shot for?”

 

Hatori gave a merciless quirk to his lips, but dropped the slight smile when he saw that Tooru was nervous too. “You don't, idiot. I'm just going to test your sensitivity. Lay down and spread your arms and legs out so I can reach them. Now close your eyes.” Shigure gave him a suspicious look but complied. “Let me know when you feel the sharp end and when you feel the cap.” He pressed the capped end against his hand, the needle against his toe, and traveled over his body varying his actions. Shigure answered correctly every time.

 

Hatori sighed, Shigure had passed almost everything, but the unsteadiness of his gait and the swaying as he stood bothered him. He examined Shigure as he sat up and leaned against the desk again. He kept his eyes closed as if the dim light in the room bothered him.

 

“Shigure, how do you feel?” He asked.

 

“I have a headache.” Shigure answered honestly. “Kimagure is upset and he keeps complaining.” He put a hand over his stomach. “I think it's becoming a migraine, the light hurts and I feel sick to my stomach.”

 

Hatori looked down considering. “I think you should come with me to the hospital for a scan.” He looked up and saw Tooru blanch and clutch at Shigure's sleeve. The dog's hand came over hers comfortingly but he frowned at Hatori.

 

“Ne, is that really necessary?” Shigure just wanted to lie down, preferably with Tooru beside him. “It's just the dog-”

 

“That's probably it, but it could be masking a more serious problem. A quick CT scan will be all it takes to rule it out. I'll make some calls and get you right in, it won't take us long.” He flipped open his cell and frowned at it, “I'm getting bad reception in here, I'll just step outside... Get ready to go.” He stared at the cells on his phone as they climbed.

 

He snapped open the door nearly walked into Kyou who was looking around the living room with a puzzled frown.

 

“Oi! What're you doing here?” Kyou asked jumping back and pointing at him.

 

“I came for Shigure, he hurt his head.” Hatori said blandly, pushing selecting the hospital on his phone and setting it to dial.

 

Kyou scoffed, “That pervert's head is too hard to hurt.” He listed as Hatori spoke to whoever was on the other end, ordering an emergency CT scan and pulling strings to have it ready by the time they got there. “Isn't it?”

 

“Most likely, but we have to be sure.” Hatori felt a moment of annoyance. “Did you know that he'd been hurt? Didn't you think for a moment that I should be called? Tooru had to call me and she's still sick.”

 

Kyou flushed. “That idiot hits his head every other day, why should I think this time was any different?”

 

Hatori just sighed and turned back to the room. “Shigure, are you-” He stopped dead, making Kyou peer around to see what had given the unflappable doctor pause.

 

“Oi! Oi! Oi! What the heck do you think you're doing?!” Kyou yelled pushing past him and making a fist.

 

Shigure lay with his head in Tooru's lap and her hand smoothing his hair. He opened his eye a crack. “Ne, I'm injured, Tooru-chan is just being my angel of mercy.” He snuggled a little closer.

 

Kyou stepped forward and raised his fist to hammer down.

 

“Don't!” Tooru said holding up a hand and looking pleadingly at Kyou. “Please Kyou-kun, Shigure-san really is hurt.”

 

Kyou paused, “But you shouldn't let him do that, that's taking advantage of you.” He said pleadingly. She should be embarrassed and upset that Shigure was so close. It was wrong that she should look so *comfortable* with him draped over her like that. Not that he hadn't been close to her, though usually as a cat...

 

Tooru looked down. “But I offered.” She said softly. “Whenever I had a fever or a headache Mother used to let me lay on her lap and I always felt better...”

 

“I have to go to the hospital and it stinks horribly, let me keep this sweet, innocent memory to tide me through.” Shigure interrupted and breathed deeply, slid off her lap and then stood up, still a little unsteady. “Now I'm invigorated with my precious flower's scent and ready to go.” He looked at Hatori expectantly.

 

Hatori sighed. The dog was lucky that Yuki wasn't there to see that scene. Kyou could probably be put off that it was just Tooru once again emulating her mother, but Yuki probably would have noticed how Shigure's hand had snaked around her waist and how even to the last moment Tooru ran her hands caressingly through the dog's hair.

 

“I'll bring around the car.”

 

::0::0::0::0::

 

Yuki watched his feet as he walked slowly back to the house. Thankfully the damage wasn't as bad as it had first looked. The puppy hadn't had that much time in the garden, and had mostly just spread around dirt. The one real casualty seemed to be the strawberry plants, which were all dug up. He'd replanted a few that seemed to have mostly intact roots, but feared the shock would kill them anyway.

 

Some of the other plants had been buried in dirt dug up from the areas the dog had attacked. Once he and the rats had cleared it away, he'd checked the plants over. He might lose a couple, but most would make it with a little care.

 

He heard a miserable whimpering noise as he reached the yard close to the house. He looked around and saw Tooru's puppy leashed tightly to a small tree. The tree was one of the smaller ones, but the girth still was still considerable. Shigure had tied the leash around it, but it left the puppy with very little room to move. He could stand, and maybe take a step or two but no more.

 

Right now he was huddled against the tree with his tail curled around his feet as he gave out pitiful cries. Yuki knew that Shigure hadn't touched him, but the little dog looked like he'd been beaten. His ears drooped and his whole body was hunched like he was trying to make himself as small as possible.

 

Yuki looked away trying to keep a hold of the hot anger he'd felt earlier when he'd seen his room and he'd seen the disaster the dog had made of his `secret base.' He didn't want to feel pity and sympathy for this puppy, he didn't want to be reminded of when he'd felt as lost and alone as the little animal looked.

 

The puppy caught sight of him and started howling. Yuki couldn't help his head from craning back around. The dog was at the end of his leash now and groveling on his stomach. He kept straining to howl, nearly choking himself.

 

If he'd been Shigure he would have been able to hear the agonized meaning behind it, but as an ex-prisoner himself, Yuki could understand it well enough. “Alone! Alone! Alone!” was the evident meaning.

 

Yuki sighed and walked over, closer to the tree. The dog stopped howling and rolled on his back stretching out his throat. One didn't have to know the language of dogs to know he was showing that he was sorry and asking for forgiveness. He still whimpered almost constantly.

 

“I'm surprised Shigure hasn't shut you up. That sound is awful.” Yuki crouched down but didn't touch the dog, watching him quiver. “Maybe he hit his head harder then I thought.” The dog gave a light yip and stretched closer, lapping out with a tongue to lick at knuckles that were almost out of reach.

 

Yuki sighed again, “You aren't going to bite me are you?” He held out his hand a little further and let the dog lick at it. “It would be typical of Shigure's dog to fake being miserable and then bite.” When the black dog didn't turn and bite at his fingers Yuki gave the dog a quick rub on the belly and between the ears. “I'm sure you're distressing Honda-san too. You should be quiet.” He stood, the dog started to whine again almost immediately. “Shush.” He said sternly and surprisingly the dog listened.

 

The dog curled up into a little ball and looked up at him pitifully. Yuki started to walk away and the dog started whining again. He sighed and walked back, sitting next to the dog. He stroked the animal's fur and it calmed, even going so far as to thump his tail against the ground.

 

“I'm sure I'm breaking every dog-training rule.” Yuki muttered, “But I'll just have Shigure talk to you later so that you understand.” He felt the dog relax and looked down, it had fallen asleep. “I'm not doing this because I'm sorry for you.” He stood up slowly not wanting to wake him. “I'm just doing this because I'm sure Honda-san is worried.”

 

He walked into the house and looked around. It was almost eerily quiet now that the dog had fallen silent. He didn't hear any noise coming from Shigure's study or the kitchen. He figured the author was resting, he'd wait until dinner to tell him to discipline his dog properly. He grabbed a trash bag from the kitchen and went upstairs to face his room. Yuki almost ran into Kyou as the cat was coming out of the rat's room.

 

“Oh,” Kyou said snidely, “I thought the damn dog was back since that stupid puppy finally shut up.”

 

“What the heck do you think you're doing in my room, baka neko?” Yuki said startled.

 

“That girl wouldn't go back to bed because she was fretting about the stupid mess in your room.” Kyou said a light flush dusting his cheeks. “Don't think I was doing it to be nice to you or anything!”

 

Yuki blinked and looked past Kyou into his room. It still couldn't be called neat, but the wastebasket was righted and refilled with the trash that had been scattered. His bed was sloppily made and feathers had been swept up into a bag the cat held. The loose papers had been stacked on his desk.

 

He was about to choke out some sort of apology to Kyou when he was struck by the rest of what Kyou had said. “Wait, where is Shigure?”

 

Kyou shrugged, stepping past him and heading to the stairs. “Hatori took him to the hospital to scan his head `cause of that bump.” He snickered. “Bet they find that he's a deviant and lock him up.”

 

“I don't think that comes up on head scans.” Yuki said with dry amusement. His brow wrinkled faintly. “Was he really hurt that seriously?”

 

“I dunno, Hatori said it was just a formality. Tooru called him.” He said anticipating the next question. “I don't have time for this crap. I haven't even started to try to get the ink off in my room. Finish cleaning your own damn room.” He brushed past Yuki and stomped downstairs.

 

Yuki looked at the closed door to Tooru's room. He resisted the urge to knock on it and went in to finish tidying his room. He'd apologize for his behavior later.

 

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