Fruits Basket Fan Fiction ❯ Belated Gift 2: The Gift that Keeps on Giving ❯ Marionette's Broken Heart-Strings ( Chapter 6 )

[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]

Kimagure sat on the floor and looked at Best Girl with his biggest, best puppy eyes.

Tooru pouted, and bent to scratch his head between the ears. "I'm sorry Gure-kun, but I have to go to school. I'll be back later."

The puppy whined and put his front paws on the floor and his tail in the air. He cocked his head to the side cutely. It was his last ditch weapon. It never failed to get him an extra treat, a little more of a tummy rub, or a second helping at dinner.

Tooru hugged him and put her head on his back. "I'm sorry! I can't stay home!" The puppy whined at her tone.

"Honda-san, don't indulge him so much." Yuki said, his voiced tinged with exasperation, "It only encourages him."

"We're going to be late." Kyou reminded her. "And you're getting stupid dog hairs all over your uniform."

Tooru looked up at the boys. "Don't you think-" she started, eyes wide with hope.

"No." Both boys said flatly. They'd been going through this for the past week and a half. They weren't even disturbed that they were talking in unison.

"If you bring him to school he'll just cause trouble." Kyou reminded her.

"And he'll be bored tied to a tree all day." Yuki said more gently.

Tooru sighed.

"Ne, Ne... you should both stay home." Shigure said poking his head out of his study. "Stay home and play...." He tried to match Kimagure's begging expression.

Yuki and Kyou immediately scolded him in their usual manner. Tooru tried not to stiffen or look scared.

"Ah-ha-ha..." She laughed weakly, "We're going to be late." She gave Shigure a quick bow. "Thank you for taking care of Kimagure-kun, Shigure-san." She quickly exited leaving Yuki and Kyou scrambling to catch up.

Kimagure began to chase after, but a stern call from Shigure stopped him cold. He whined and looked up at the man but his dark expression stopped him from complaining further.

Shigure stood in the doorway and called "Go and come back safely!" as cheerily as he could. Yuki and Kyou barely looked over their shoulder at him in acknowledgement. Tooru just gave a little stutter in her gait to prove that she'd heard him. She didn't look back.

Nevertheless, he waited until they'd all turned the corner and were completely out of sight before walking back into the house. He paused on the threshold to the living room and sighed. His paper and tea had been left out for him by Tooru as she usually did. Instead of sitting down at the table though, he went back into his room and back to his futon. He lay down and threw an arm over his eyes.

Kimagure trailed after him watching Big Dog. He sat in the doorway and considered things. Ever since the night when Best Girl was bad, his two favorite people had been acting strange. They didn't touch all the time like they had before. In fact, Best Girl seemed to try her best not be in whatever room Big Dog was.

And Big Dog wasn't nearly as much fun as he'd been before. Now, if Best Girl was around, then Big Dog was looking at her, or trying to. If she wasn't around he just sat there. Or lay there. Or leaned there...He hardly moved at all. Except when it got later, and it was near when Best Girl might come home. Then he'd go wash, and tidy up and stare at the door even more then Kimagure himself did.

It was very boring. Kimagure didn't like it at all.

Shigure sighed, a deep full-bodied sigh. Kimagure walked over and lay down next to him and gave out his own sigh. He breathed deep and wuffed discontentedly. Big Dog hardly even smelled of Best Girl anymore. How was that for mates to act?

"What's your problem?" Shigure lifted his arm and peered peevishly at the dog. Bad enough he was in a funk himself, he had to listen to the dog sigh too?


Kimagure turned and laid his head against Big Dog's leg. He decided to complain about the most immediate problem. ::Miss Best Girl:: He whined.

The man sighed and laid a big hand on the dog's head and patted at him. "Me too, me too..."

Kimagure lifted his head and looked at Shigure suspiciously. ::Did Big Dog pee on something he wasn't supposed to?::

Shigure sat up, disturbing the puppy where he leaned on him. "What?!" Where had that come from? Shigure sniffed... did he...smell? He'd bathed just yesterday!

Kimagure watched the man sniff at the air and continued curiously. ::Best Girl is mad at Big Dog:: The puppy sighed. ::When I peed in the wrong place Best Girl wouldn't let me sleep with her either.::

Shigure gave a bark of laughter, making the puppy start and put his ears back. "No, I didn't pee were I wasn't supposed to." He quickly sobered. "I did something much worse."

Kimagure pricked his ears curiously. ::Worse?:: He couldn't conceive of it. Nothing else he'd done had gotten him more then a slight scolding. When he'd peed in the entryway, Best Girl hadn't only scolded him she'd locked him in the laundry room for a whole night. He looked at Big Dog for an explanation, but the man was lost again in his thoughts.

Shigure ran a hand through his hair. When he'd finally woken the morning after the incident, all three of the others had already been up and about for some time. He'd come out of his study, woken by a very loud Kyou arguing with Kimagure. The puppy had taken hold of one edge of the towel Kyou used after his workout and had begun a vigorous game of tug of war. The puppy was having a great time, and it took Shigure a while to distract him from it. He'd learned that `Mouse' was playing in the dirt and that Best Girl had gone out.

When he'd heard that, and considering what he'd done to her the night before, Shigure's stomach had dropped out. He was convinced that he'd gone too far, and that she'd been so scared of him that she'd run away.

While Kyou was still arguing with the puppy over who had rights to the towel, he'd quickly slipped upstairs and checked her room. It was pin neat. So neat that he thought for a minute that he'd been right about her going. He opened her closet and had nearly melted with relief. Her clothes were still been there.

He quickly left the room and walked down to the bathroom to scrub himself. He practically rubbed himself raw. He just felt filthy and wrong.

How could he have done such a thing? The thoughts before the act were hazy. All he remembered was being furious that she hadn't come downstairs. Of course she wouldn't want to risk it. Not the first night, not with Yuki and Kyou sleeping upstairs.

He rinsed himself off finally and shook himself free of the excess water. He heard Kimagure start barking and reached out with his mind to figure out what had him so excited. Tooru had come home.

He'd dressed quickly and had gone back downstairs. He wanted to see that she was ok, to make sure that she was really back.

He'd paused at the foot of the stairs and watched her smile at Kyou and hand him a fresh carton of milk. The movement displayed her wrist, thankfully free of marks. He let loose a sigh of relief, a breath he hadn't realized he was holding.

Then Tooru had glanced back at him and started. Her fingers went slack and she dropped the bag she was holding and her eyes widened. She went pale. Kyou had frowned and followed her gaze to look at him. His brow had puckered.

Shigure smiled and waved a hand. "Did Tooru-kun forget my cigarettes? Don't worry about it."

"I-I'm sorry!" Tooru stammered catching hold of herself. "I'll get them next time." She took a deep breath and steadied herself. "I-I best put away these things before they spoil." She said with a shaky smile and ducked back onto the kitchen.

Kyou had followed after, his brow clearing. "Don't worry about his stupid cigarettes. You always let such little things bother you." He complained.

Shigure didn't dare risk approaching her while either of the boys were around. Tooru acted like he might pounce on her and devour her even with the others there.

He tried to catch her alone all just for a moment that day. He wasn't even sure what he'd say to her. An apology? She surely deserved one. An explanation? He didn't have one; he didn't know why he'd done what he'd done. He also didn't know if he'd be able to promise not to do anything like that to her again. He'd been so jealous, so scared he was going to lose her and so furious that she hadn't come to him he'd gone out of control. It had happened so easily it terrified even him.

Would there be another time when that mix of emotions would take him over again? What would he do to her next time?

All during that day, he tried not to think of that. He just tried to catch her alone. But Yuki had come back from his garden and between he and Kyou Tooru had the perfect guard against him. He'd determined to be up early on Monday to catch her while she made breakfast. Yuki usually overslept, Kyou would work out, and that would give him at least a half hour of her to himself.

But when he woke early the next morning he'd discovered the table set, breakfast and lunch made and ready, and Tooru gone. A little note claimed that she thought she might have morning duties so she'd gone ahead early, just in case.

It had taken three days for him to catch her even for a bare moment. Between work, school, and spending time with the others reminiscing about the school trip, Tooru managed to be in the same room with him for more than a few minutes.

But finally, on the third day he'd caught her while she hung the laundry after school. It was risky. Kyou was practicing his martial arts not far away, and Yuki was just upstairs studying. But when he saw her silhouette against the sheets as he was coming out of the bathroom he knew he had to take the chance

He'd stepped quickly and quietly behind the sheets and next to her. She gasped and stepped back from the sheet she'd just pinned to the line. Her big eyes were getting bigger by the minute and it made his heart ache to see the fear there.

She started to turn to push through the sheets. She'd be safe once she was in sight of the house again. Shigure grabbed her hand and pulled her back, his heart breaking. She turned towards him and he grabbed her other hand. He went to his knees and put his forehead against them.

"Please." He said harshly.

Tooru froze; he looked up at her. She was dead white and her whole body was arching away from him. Did she hate him now? Surely she did now that she'd seen how awful and dirty he really was. "Tooru-kun..." He breathed. "Tooru-kun doesn't have to run from me." She remained silent, watching him like he was some dangerous beast.

He swallowed thickly. "Tooru..." He said, it came out in harshly around the thickness in his throat. "I-" He didn't know what to say. "I love you." His throat suddenly loosened and bowed his head. "I hurt you...I'm sorry...I love you." He repeated it again, and then a third time. Then he heard a hiccupping cry. Tooru was shaking her head and tears were cascading down her cheeks.

He stood up quickly and tried to pull her into a loose embrace but she'd backed away, up against the sheets. One more step and she'd be gone through them, out of his reach. She looked up at him with her big crying eyes.

"Tooru..." He began again. "I love you. If Tooru doesn't love me anymore...I'd understand..." He held his hands out, trying to look unthreatening. "But when I think I might lose Tooru..."

He started to step forward and she flinched. "I don't want to lose you." He whispered, standing as still as he could.

She stared at him but she didn't move away when he brought his hand up to her cheek. He stroked away a tear. "Please." She shivered, and closed her eyes. He could tell she wanted to believe in him again. Even after what he'd done, her purity wanted to believe that he wasn't that bad. "I can't lose you."


Her eyes flew open at the tone in his voice and she stepped out of his touch again. She finally spoke. "S-shigure-san is scaring me." She turned, pushed through the sheets and was gone.

That had been a week ago from today. Tooru was still avoiding him. She still jumped every time he was near. Yuki was suspicious and even Kyou had noticed something was up. Shigure went through each day wanting nothing more than to tear her away from them. He wanted to run with her to somewhere where he could make her understand what she meant to him, how much he loved her. How sorry he was for what he had done.

By now things and fallen into an uneasy rhythm. In the morning a tense breakfast, then Tooru would play with Kimagure between chores before school, after school she worked or studied with Yuki.

Yuki was practically glowing from all the attention Tooru was giving him. Shigure alternated from wanting to tell Yuki that Tooru was using him to wanting to tell him in detail why Tooru was using Yuki to avoid him.

But the knowledge that Tooru would never forgive that stopped him, just barely. It galled him continually how much it hurt her to think of his cousins knowing about the kind of things they'd done together. She was so afraid of what they'd think of her. Why did it matter so much what they thought? But he tried to quash those jealous thoughts. When he let himself go down that path and dwell it lead to things like what had happened that night.

Shigure sighed again and turned on his side. It had only been a little over a week. He just wanted to know that she still loved him. If she still loved him, if she could just forgive him then he could wait for her to be ready for him again. He was sure of it.

He dropped off into an uneasy nap.

At school Tooru hid in the bathroom stall before class began. Yuki was getting too suspicious and he was full of questions this morning. They were uncomfortable questions, but nothing too personal. Was she feeling well? Why wasn't she eating then? Was there something he could do?

She squeezed her eyes shut and leaned her head against the stall of the bathroom. She clutched at her stomach; it felt like it was full of her secrets. They were messy, dirty, disgusting secrets and they wanted out.

If Yuki kept asking those sweet, gentle questions then she'd spew them all out. And then everything would be lost.

She took a deep breath and swallowed, forcing the secrets back down her throat. She couldn't let them out.

She heard the warning bell, and looked up. She had to face them all now. She put her happy face back on and stepped out to start her day. She smiled at Hana and Uo and followed them to the classroom. She'd never loved class more than she did now. In class no one could ask you questions, no one could corner you.

It would have been easier if she knew exactly what she was protecting by keeping her secrets inside.

"I love Tooru..." Shigure's voice whispered through her and she felt another lurch in her stomach. She put her hand in the pocket of her skirt. She ran her fingers lightly over the gleaming silver heart inside. Shigure had said she was his heart, forever. But what did that mean?

He said he loved her, but he'd scared her and hurt her. Why did he say he loved her if he was just going to treat her the way he had? How could he love a person who he said was a bitch and a slut?

And... She'd become those things, hadn't she? She'd done everything he'd accused her of.

She stared at her notebook, the lines blurring together before her eyes. And it wasn't like she hadn't gotten any pleasure out of it. Just thinking of it sent a shiver through her body. There were parts that she hadn't liked, parts that scared her witless. But there were parts she had enjoyed...a lot. That must mean everything he said was true. If what he said was true...what did that make her?

It all mixed up into a big swell of emotions that she couldn't sort out. Right now all she wanted to do was curl up and hide from everyone. From Uo's rough kindness, Hana's knowing eyes, Kyou's gruff concern, Yuki's gentle questions, and most of all she wanted to hide from Shigure's broken scary eyes.

She mostly wanted it all to go away.


But it wouldn't go away, even in class. Just the thought of his dark gray eyes brought them up before her mind's eye. The memory alone was enough to make her knees weak. That's why she couldn't bear to look at him for too long. She'd be lost in them if she did, swallowed up whole.

Because despite everything he'd done, even though he'd called her those nasty things, and made her do those dirty things, she wanted to still hear him call her 'his girlfriend.' She wanted the sweet man who'd eaten ice cream with her and wanted to see double features. She wanted her happy memories on the porch and stories in bed.

She clutched at the heart in her pocket. But that man was the same one who bruised her knees, who tied her up, who made her beg. And it didn't matter. She still wanted him and that scared her more than anything else.

So she couldn't be around him, she felt like she was losing herself. Piece by piece Shigure was stripping away what she had been. She didn't know what would be left, what secret, hidden self would be uncovered when he was done.

"Tooru?"

Tooru blinked and looked up. Her friends circled her desk, matching worried masks plastered over their faces. She glanced around. Class had ended, and it was lunch. The thought of food made her queasy.

Yuki watched Tooru's face turn another shade closer to white. He frowned. "Honda-san... Perhaps you should go to the nurse's office?" He asked softly, "You...really don't look well."

Tooru's head swam. She was so tired. She had hardly slept the past week or so. She kept waking in the night, certain that there was a dark shape standing over her bed.


She stood shakily. "I...I think that's a good idea. I don't feel very well." If she went to the nurse's office she could at least sleep somewhere that was safe. She waved off offers to walk her down, relishing the opportunity to be alone.

She missed the glance that shot between her friends as she went.

The nurse had no objection to her resting in the office. She wasn't aware that her face was paper-white or that she looked like she'd fall over any moment. She was just so happy to lie down and finally sleep.

The nurse didn't wake her until after the last bell, and Yuki and Kyou had come to look for her. She woke up feeling refreshed, stronger and healthier. It took some convincing but she got the boys to let her work her part time. She just kept her smile up and her attitude light and they couldn't argue. She'd become passionate about her job lately. That was several hours where she didn't have to answer to anyone and was kept busy.


She wasn't going to lose that time to herself.

She regretted it later that night when she finally ended her shift. She felt wobbly, tired and worn thin. She still felt queasy. She knew Kyou would make a point of making her eat when she got home. He'd been the one to really pay attention to the fact that she'd lost her appetite. He was very kind, and his concern was very sweet, but she really couldn't bear the thought of food tonight.

She smiled at Yuki and distracted him with questions about homework as they walked home. She'd just tell Kyou that she'd eaten something at work, the lunch she'd thrown out earlier.

Tooru allowed the boys to hustle her off to bed when she got home. Their concern acted as an effective buffer between her and Shigure. She could still feel his eyes on her from the instant she entered the house to the moment she was closed safely behind her bedroom door.

She let Kimagure cling and jump all over her. The puppy was the one being who didn't expect anything but affection from her and she was happy to give it. She finally fell asleep with him. It was nice to have something warm and snuggly in bed with her.

The house quieted quickly. The three men were at a loss as to what to do without Tooru to act as a buffer between them. Shigure laid awake wondering what to do and wanting to talk to Hatori.

He must have drifted off eventually because Kimagure's frantic barking started him awake hours later.

He sat up blinking in the darkness and trying to figure out what was going on. The puppy was frantic and incoherent. When he heard Kyou start to shout as well he threw back his blankets. He flew upstairs. Then Yuki began shouting and he was suddenly in the middle of the mess.

Kimagure was standing guard outside the bathroom, holding off Yuki and Kyou who were trying to get to the door. There were horrible noises coming from inside.

"Kimagure, DOWN!" Shigure shouted. "What's going on?" He said, breathless.


The puppy ran over to him. ::Best Girl, Best Girl! Sick!::

"Tooru sounds like she's choking in there and that stupid dog wouldn't let us in." Kyou yelled. He turned back to the door and banged on it. "Tooru! Are you ok?"

Shigure told the dog to stay out of the way and strained for Tooru's answer. There was more choking noises, and a sick gagging noises but no answer.

"Should I call Hatori?" Yuki asked.

Shigure pushed Kyou out of the way he tried the handle. Locked. "Tooru!" he bellowed, making both boys jump. "Open the door!"

There was another gagging noise and it cut off in the middle. It sounded like she was seriously choking. Panicked Shigure drew back. He ran at the door and slammed into it, forcing it open with a bang.

Tooru didn't look up; she was shaking and choking over the toilet.

"What's wrong with her?" Kyou eyes were wide and scared. Yuki stood on the threshold unsure of what to do. Shigure ran over to her and put his arm under her rib cage and lifted her up a little. It was enough to dislodge whatever she'd been choking on and she spat it into the toilet. It was followed by another round of heaves. Shigure pulled her hair back from her sweaty pale face.

"Call Hatori." Shigure said shortly over his shoulder. Yuki nodded and ran down the hall.

"Go get some water, and a towel." He said to Kyou.

Tooru slumped against Shigure's arm. She wasn't straining into the toilet anymore so he helped her to sit back a little. He kept alternating between running his hand through her hair and rubbing her back. She was starting to breath a little easier. She was hiccupping and swallowing deep gulps of air. "Shh...shh....shh..." Shigure said softly, soothingly.

Kyou came back with some wet towels and the glass of water. Shigure turned Tooru in his arms and gave her the glass of water. "Rinse your mouth first, then drink." Shigure said sternly as he took on of the towels and wiped her face.


Tooru obeyed, swishing out her mouth and then drinking the glass down. She turned colors again and turned back to the toilet in desperation. Shigure held her hair back out of the way as she heaved up what she'd just drank.

Kyou turned green. Shigure glanced at him. "If you're going to be sick, leave."

Kyou swallowed and backed out of the room. Yuki passed him.

"Hatori's on his way." He went white when Tooru slumped against Shigure's arm. "Is she ok?" He asked in a small voice.

Shigure bit back the obvious. He wasn't a doctor, how was he supposed to know? All he knew was that Tooru felt as light as a feather against his arm and was cold and clammy to the touch.

"I'm fine. I'm fine..." Tooru said weakly. "W-water please..." She rested her forehead against Shigure's arm. She didn't want to move, it was making her head swim.

Yuki hurried to fill her glass. Shigure took it from her and helped her to drink. She managed to keep it down this time. Shigure quirked a little half smile. "Think you're done?" Tooru flushed lightly and nodded into his arm. He handed the glass back to Yuki and picked her up.

"Get a wastebasket." He said to the mouse trailing after him. Yuki nodded and hurried off, eager for something useful to do.


He set Tooru in her bed and pulled the covers over her. She closed her eyes and almost immediately fell into a light sleep. Shigure glanced at the clock; it was a lot later than he thought it was. He thought it was the middle of the night, but it was actually early in the morning. It was almost time to get up.

He smoothed her hair back, and laid his hand against her forehead. She didn't feel too warm. Kimagure started barking outside of Tooru's door and Shigure cursed as she started awake under his hand.

Yuki stood in the doorway with the wastebasket. Kimagure was growling at him. Big Dog was taking care of Best Girl and he wasn't going to let anyone disturb them.

"Be quiet, you stupid thing!" Shigure said harshly, and the puppy curled on his belly and whimpered at the mind shout behind it. "Bring that in here." He said just as shortly to Yuki.

Shigure looked down at Tooru and gentled. "Let me know if you need to use this." He said referencing the wastebasket. Tooru nodded weakly and closed her eyes.


Yuki looked at him expectantly, but Shigure wasn't going to give his place next to Tooru up. "She doesn't seem to have much of fever, but she isn't going to school today." He glanced at the door. Kyou had regained his color and returned. "And it looks like we're on our own for breakfast."

The boys just stared at him. How could Shigure think of food at a time like this? "Once she's slept a little I'm sure she'd appreciate some porridge..." he said pointedly. Kyou took the hint and went downstairs.


"Shigure-" Yuki started.


"Do you realize how late it is?" Shigure cut him off. "You'd best start getting ready for school. Tooru will need you to take notes."

Yuki's mouth twisted but he left.

"Shigure-san..." Tooru said weakly, "I feel much better. I want to go to school."

"Don't be ridiculous." Shigure said shortly. Tooru bit her lip, but didn't argue again. She closed her eyes, sighed and then fell asleep.



The man sighed and his hand was still cupping the top of her head. She was so small. He wondered what could be wrong with her.


She hadn't been eating well for the past couple of days. It was strange that this would hit her so hard though. Then he blinked. Nausea and vomiting first thing in the morning? That was a symptom of...

Pregnancy.

He followed the line of her body under the covers. She could be carrying his child. He felt a silly smile stretching out on his face. She'd be his for sure then, and it would mean that she was ok.

Then the hundreds of problems a child, now, would bring started crashing in. She'd be unable to finish school. If she did still have any feelings for him this would kill them. Besides that, everyone would find out about them. Akito would find out about them.

Akito would find out about Tooru while she was pregnant with his child. That would be very bad.

"Shigure." The man turned to see Hatori standing in the doorway with Yuki and Kyou hovering in the background. Shigure stood quickly and walked over.


"Hatori. She started throwing up this morning, I don't think she has a fever...but..."

"Hush." Hatori said shortly walking past him and over to the bed. "Wait outside while I examine the patient." When Shigure looked like he was going to argue he added, "Now."

Shigure glanced at the boys waiting outside the door and bit back what he wanted to say. He glanced at the clock. The boys would have to leave for school soon. He'd talk to him then. He ushered the boys downstairs and kept them busy while Hatori was with Tooru.

He glanced at the clock. "You'll both be late if you don't go now." He said. Yuki and Kyou didn't look up from where they sat at the table.

"We're not going." Kyou grit. "Not until..."

"Tooru-kun is fine, Hatori will take good care of her." Shigure said sternly. "How do you think she will feel if you miss school because of her?" Yuki opened his mouth to protest. "And who will get her notes for her?"

The boys frowned. "I'll call the school if anything serious is wrong," lied Shigure. "You know she'll just fret with you here." The author continued, trying to sound as persuasive as possible.

"Fine." Kyou said standing up. "The porridge is in the kitchen. Heat it up for her."

"Tell Honda-san not to worry about school. I'll bring home all of her assignments and explain it to the teachers." Yuki said gathering his things.

Shigure tried project an image of calm and confidence as he shepherded them out the door. He really felt like dancing in place with nervous energy. Finally they were gone. He immediately rushed back up the steps. He hardly paused to knock at the door before bursting back into Tooru's room.


Hatori and Tooru both turned to him in surprise. Her top was open and the doctor's hand was down her nightshirt. Shigure skidded to a stop. "What are you doing?!" He burst.


Hatori drew back his hand, revealing the stethoscope head he was holding. "I was listening to my patient's breathing."


Shigure flushed. Of course, Hatori wasn't the type to take advantage of Tooru when she was sick. "Ha-san..." He said hesitantly. How did he asked about what he was afraid had was true. "What's wrong?"

Hatori closed his eyes and took the earpieces out, "Well, I was interrupted during my examination, but I suspect it's the flu that's been going around."

"Then she's not pregnant?" Shigure burst.

Hatori's eyes flew open. "Pregnant?" He glanced between the two of them. Tooru had gone white and her eyes wide. She looked as surprised as he. "Is there a reason you think she might be?" He said carefully.

Shigure shifted in place like a schoolboy, "Well...She was throwing up," he paused and added significantly, "...in the morning."

Hatori closed his eyes and took a deep breath. He would not laugh at his best friend. "Morning sickness doesn't begin until two, three weeks into a pregnancy."

After doing some quick math they both let out a breath.


"Unless..." The doctor didn't really know how long the two had been involved. Shigure shook his head and Hatori let out a breath. He looked at them both sternly. "What kind of protection have you two been using?" He knew exactly how much protection they'd been using before. And he knew Shigure had known better. When he saw Tooru's face he realized she hadn't even thought about it. Nor had Shigure brought it up to her. He gave him a dirty look.

"Just because this isn't morning sickness doesn't mean that Tooru isn't pregnant." He sighed. "When was the last time...?"


Tooru flushed and looked down. "Last week...Sunday."


"The day that-" Hatori cut himself off tightly. He was a doctor right now. His personal opinion on how incredibly stupid it was to have unprotected sex while Yuki and Kyou were in the house was irrelevant to the matter at hand. "Tooru... do you think you can make it to the bathroom?"


"Yes." She said softly. She couldn't believe she was just now realizing that she could be pregnant. How could she not think that something like this could happen?

Hatori took a little paper cup and some paper strips out of his bag. "I need just a small urine sample. I can do a quick test now."

Tooru nodded and slid out of the bed, took the cup and ducked past Shigure into the hallway. She padded down the hall and into the bathroom. She closed the door and leaned against it. She spread a hand over her stomach, pregnant. She could be pregnant. She could be carrying Shigure's baby.

She imagined her stomach swelling with life. What would that be like?


And it would be Shigure's child. Her heart fluttered. They'd be a real family. She'd have a family again, one that was really hers. She bit her lip, she hadn't known how much she wanted that, a family that wanted her.

But to have that kind of family would mean giving up a lot. She'd have to break her promise to Mother, she wouldn't be able to concentrate on school with having something so huge in her life. And everyone would know about her and Shigure. She'd have to stop working too.

And what if Shigure didn't want children? They'd never spoken about it. He got along well with the younger Junninshi, but that didn't mean he wanted to have kids of his own.

What if he didn't want it?

What if she had a little girl?

She tried to calm her racing thoughts as she quickly did her business and walked back to the room. Hatori took her cup with practiced ease and no sign of disgust and swished one of the little strips on the liquid. They all held their breath as they waited.

When the time for the test had past Hatori examined the strip, no sign of blue. "It's negative." He said shortly. He looked back at Tooru now back on the bed, and Shigure hovering over her. "You're not pregnant."

Shigure slumped to his knees on the side of the bed in relief. Tooru's head was bowed. He put his hand over hers. "This is good news, ne? Now wouldn't be a good time for that. We have plenty of time..."

Tooru nodded, unable to lift her head quite yet. She'd almost had a child, a family of her very own. It might have been an inconvenient one, begun at an ill-chosen time, but it was still disappointing to see it disappear.

"I'm going to draw some blood and run some further tests..." Hatori said gently, pulling out a vial and a syringe and putting on a pair of gloves. "...the last is fairly accurate, but just in case..." Tooru nodded again.

Hatori looked up at Shigure. "I'll call with the results." He drew the blood as quickly and painlessly as possible. "For now, no more unprotected sex. Once we know for sure that Tooru isn't pregnant, I'll write out a prescription for birth control pills. If you can stop by next week I can give you some samples. Until then," He shot Shigure a look, "If you must, at least wear a condom. You won't get this lucky a second time."

Hatori gentled when he saw how upset and embarrassed Tooru looked. He supposed her mother hadn't gotten to that part before she passed away.

Hatori decided he would have talk with her when she came by to pick up the scrip. It'd probably be best not to have Shigure present. He'd acted disappointed that she wasn't pregnant, but he remembered the silly smile he'd shown the first time Hatori had mentioned it. He knew how much Shigure liked the idea.

He snapped his bag shut. He looked at Tooru, "For now, stay in bed and drink lots of fluids. This flu hasn't been too bad, it should be gone in a few days if you take care of yourself." He glanced at Shigure. "She's not to do any housework. Make sure the boys know."

Tooru started to protest, but Shigure dropped a hand to her head and mussed her hair. "I'll make sure they know." Shigure said cheerily.

"You might want to run out and get her some benadryl," Hatori said still speaking to Shigure. "It will help with her nausea." He looked down at Tooru. "It will make you sleepy, but you should try to get as much rest as possible."

Tooru nodded wondering if she was flushing. Shigure's hand was still on the top of her head, buried in her hair. It felt nice there. It was the first 'normal' contact they'd had since last Sunday.

Hatori sighed. He'd like to stay around more; he hadn't talked to Shigure since the boys had come home. The silence had been disturbing.

He couldn't help but wonder what had gone on. Shigure was looking at her so tenderly right now, and he knew that the dog had come very close to giving himself away to the boys this morning. He'd been protectively hovering over the girl, hands unseemly familiar for an older man who was simply her ad-hoc guardian. If the girl hadn't given the boys such a scare this morning they would have been discovered.


He was sure that Shigure would have some questions from Yuki later.

"Thank you Hatori-san." Tooru said softly, drawing his attention. "For going to all this trouble."

Hatori let a small almost smile grace his features. "It was no trouble. If you really want to save me work, do as I say and rest so that you can get well."

"Yes, I'll try." Tooru said.

She was starting to look wan and Hatori decided it was time for her to rest. "Shigure, lets go downstairs I'll give you the details for her care."

Shigure nodded and started to follow him out. The dog paused to give Tooru a quick peck on the forehead. Her eyes flew wide at the casual kiss. She flushed, sinking into the bed and pulling her blankets up to her nose.

"I'll bring up some porridge for you in a bit." Shigure said trying not to look pained at how she jumped at his kiss. She was starting to get self-conscious around him again.

Tooru watched them leave and lay back against the pillows. She was so confused. She rubbed her forehead where he'd kissed her. It had felt nice, very sweet. And earlier...his arm had been so strong supporting her and holding her. His fingers had been so gentle as he pulled back her hair and rubbed her back. She'd felt safe encircled by that arm.

She curled up under the blanket and put a fist to her still rolling stomach. When she thought she might be pregnant... she'd forgotten all about what Shigure had done last week. She'd been caught up in the idea of having him as her family along with her child.

And he'd been so sweet just now. Tooru hated this... she hated being afraid of him. She wanted to just forget the incident and to let herself fall back into that happy dream where he'd been the man who loved her. She sighed and slipped off to sleep.

Shigure followed Hatori down, feeling giddy with relief. Tooru wasn't pregnant. She wasn't seriously ill. And even though she was still jumpy around him, he'd have the next few days while she recouped to set her at ease again.


"Ha-san," He asked cheerily, "Would you like some tea?"


"I can't stay." Hatori shook his head. "This flu has gotten around the compound pretty thoroughly. I have a lot of patients to check up on."

Shigure sighed, he would have liked an opportunity to talk with Hatori. "Okay then...what should I do for her?" He listened carefully to Hatori's instructions.


The doctor debated to himself and finally decided that he couldn't go away without saying anything. "Shigure... you know that you were very lucky."


Shigure's brow crinkled. "Lucky?" The other repeated.


"That Tooru didn't get pregnant." He tilted his head a little, "Well, is most likely not pregnant... we'll know for sure after the blood test."


"Ha-san you worry too much." Shigure waved him off. "We'll be more careful now...."


"You know it might not have been yours if she had been?" Hatori cut him off. How could a grown man be so stupid?

"Eh?" The pole-axed look on his face was priceless. It quickly changed to anger and suspicion. "Are you accusing Tooru of-"


"Ayame, you idiot." Hatori sighed, "Don't tell me you forgot about that."

But..." Shigure's voice was confused, "He didn't come inside."


Hatori massaged his brow. "It only takes one sperm to make a baby and they can live for days. It was more than possible."


"Oh."


"It's not 'oh'!" Hatori said angrily. "I can't believe you could be so careless."


Shigure opened his mouth to protest, but he had no response. The only answer he had was that he hadn't been thinking about it. There was no way that Hatori would take that as an acceptable response. Finally he shrugged. "I'm sorry. It was careless. I won't do it again."

Hatori sighed. He didn't believe it for a moment, and he doubted Shigure had even convinced himself. He'd just have to make sure to hammer the point home with Tooru when she stopped by for the birth control samples.

Pregnancy wasn't the only thing that Shigure had to be concerned about right now however. "Also, Shigure..." Hatori said softly. "I know this will be hard, but don't forget to let Kyou and Yuki help with Tooru's care."


Shigure frowned and started too look mulish. The dragon held up a placating hand. "I know you want to take care of her, but they'll get suspicious if you take on too much of the work. And besides, you know they care for her too."


Shigure still didn't look happy or like he was going to obey. "You'll have her all day to yourself." He reminded him. "Surely you can spare her for a few hours."

"No, I can't." Shigure said harshly. "I can't spare a minute." Hatori didn't understand. The past week and a half, he hadn't gotten to have her to himself at all. Now all he could think of was going upstairs and holding her, if she'd let him. She might. She might not shrink from him.

"You'll have to." Hatori said firmly, shrugging his jacket on. "If you want to have a future with her down the road. Get used to it. She's a human being, Shigure. She can't just live for you and only you."

"You have to expect her to have a life outside of you." He looked at his friend; he had a feeling the words were slipping right off the other man. "Shigure, it's only normal."

Shigure smiled. "Of course, Ha-san, of course."

Hatori frowned. Shigure had his mask back on. He'd stopped listening completely. It was so frustrating and more than a bit scary.

The dragon wished he could stay. He was feeling worse and worse about supporting Shigure through this. The dog wasn't being rational about Tooru. And the girl was strong, but so easily manipulated. He didn't like what that boded for the relationship.

But he did have patients, one of which was Akito. If he were late for that appointment there would be questions that he didn't want to have to answer.

"Call me." Hatori said as he started out the door. "If you need anything, or if you just want to talk." He had to keep Shigure talking to him. If he pressed to hard the author would just keep his plotting and manipulations to himself. Out of the loop, Hatori wouldn't have an opportunity to help Tooru.


Shigure nodded, smile still in place. Hatori didn't know if he'd gotten himself closed out or not, but staying any longer wouldn't help his case. He determined that he and Tooru would have a long talk when she came in for her prescription.


A very long talk.

Shigure waved cheerily to Hatori as he walked to the car, glad the dragon was finally gone. He made himself wait until the car was completely out of sight before he went back inside. He debated what he should do next. Both he and Tooru still hadn't eaten, and it was getting late.

There was also the medication Hatori had recommended to settle her stomach. Perhaps he should get that before feeding her the porridge Kyou had made. She was also supposed to be drinking liquids. He'd best bring her some water so she wouldn't have to leave bed.

He filled a pitcher and walked up the stairs to her room. Hands full, he didn't bother to knock.


Kimagure lay at the foot of the bed and raised his head when Big Dog came in. He wondered if he was going to get scolded again. He didn't care if Big Dog did scold, this morning had been scary and he didn't want to be separated from Best Girl just now.

'Best Girl' started when the door opened, and pulled her sheets up. She looked at Shigure pensively. They were all alone in the house now, there wasn't anyone to hear her if she called out. She didn't really think that Shigure would do something to her while she was sick. But she hadn't thought he'd do something like he'd done last time either.

Shigure saw her scared doe eyes and turned away. She really shouldn't look so appealing while so obviously afraid. A look like that just invited predators like him to pounce. He made a point of setting the pitcher down on her desktop and pulling the desk within easy reach of the bed. "Ha-san said to make sure that you drink lots of water and juice."

"Ne, Tooru-kun, I'm going to the store to get the medicine..." He decided that looking into her eyes was a bad idea. He instead concentrated on petting Kimagure. He'd been short with the puppy that morning and he knew it was feeling upset too. "Do you want me to pick up anything else for you?"

"Shigure-san doesn't have to-" Tooru began, practically out of habit.

"Its doctor's orders." Shigure interrupted, "Of course I have to. Besides," he leaned over and leaned on his hands, one by each side of her hips. "What kind of boyfriend would I be if I didn't take proper care of my girlfriend when she's ill?"

Tooru looked up where he was looming over her and swallowed. His words were sweet, but just having him so close was making her shiver. She ducked her head and swallowed.

"Thank you, Shigure-san." She whispered. She closed her eyes. She hated this. She wanted to be happy when he said 'my girlfriend'.

Shigure frowned. She looked like she was expecting a blow. She didn't even blush when he called her his girlfriend. She was shivering, and he didn't think it was due to her illness or a chill from the room. She was that afraid of him?


He took a knuckle and used it to raise her chin so that she was looking at him again. "Ne..." he said softly, his gray eyes sad, "You're still my girlfriend, right?"


Tooru's mouth went dry. She had a choice? "I-I..." Did she want to be his still? His eyes looked so sad and hurt. "I.."

Shigure drew back, horrified. The response should have been immediate. He had to get out of there, now. "I'll go get your medicine." He said quickly, letting her off the hook. He turned blindly and started to head to the door. She was his! How could she not know that she was his? How could she not want to be his? "You know why." His mind told him, "Because you did something terrible. This is your punishment."

"Sh-shigure-san." He froze at her hesitant voice. He didn't turn. He couldn't look at her right now.

"Yes?" He coughed. The word had come out a bare whisper. He cleared his throat and repeated, "Yes?"

"Please...take Kimagure-kun with you... he'd like to take a walk...I'm sure...if its not a bother..." That's not what she'd planned to say. The words, "I love you" had been on the tip of her tongue. But she couldn't say it. His looming figure standing over her in the dark, that horrible image stole the words away. She wanted to wipe the hurt from his eyes, but she couldn't get the words past her lips.

"It's no bother." Shigure said. He gestured with a hand, still not looking back. "Come, Kimagure." The puppy hesitated, glancing between the two, but was obedient. Best Girl had said 'walk', that meant going outside and seeing all sorts of interesting things.

He'd rather if it was Best Girl and Big Dog together. But he supposed it was better than sitting here and watching Best Girl sleep.

Tooru pulled the blanket up over her head. She heard Kimagure's excited bark and smiled to herself. Shigure must have picked up his leash. Kimagure always got excited when he saw his leash.

She sniffled. She wished she could go back to the Saturday before everyone had come home. When she, Shigure and Kimagure had walked in park and ate soba. It was only a little more than a week ago. Back then she was sure of herself, and that she loved Shigure. Now she didn't know anything.

Did she still love Shigure? He asked if she was still his girlfriend. She hadn't thought it was up to her.Why had she loved Shigure in the first place?

She rolled onto her back and looked at the ceiling. She'd been in a relationship with him before she'd even realized she was in love with him. She stared at the ceiling, mind blank. She could feel the ache in her heart where her feelings for Shigure were. There had to be a reason her heart and let him in? Why was it? She fell asleep wondering.

Shigure hurried back into the house, cursing himself. It wasn't until he was at the store that he'd realized he'd left Tooru all on her own. He should have at least left Kimagure with her. If something had gone wrong the dog could have fetched him.

He'd been in such a state of shock that Tooru was so uncertain of her feelings for him that he'd left in a daze. She'd nearly choked this morning, what if she got into the same trouble and he wasn't there?

He ran into the house and dropped Kimagure's leash. The puppy had been running at full tilt to keep up with him and was content to sit and pant for a moment. He liked to run and all, but Big Dog's legs were much bigger than his. Shigure tried not to pound up the stairs as he hurried up. He paused at her door, trying to catch his breath. He listened for any sound in the room beyond. He couldn't hear anything. A hundred things that could have gone wrong fled through his mind. He gently pushed the door open, heart in his throat.

Tooru slept peacefully, not waking as he came in. He breathed a sigh of relief. He walked over and looked down at her. He face was so colorless and wan. She looked tiny on the large bed. She'd kicked down her blankets; they were down around her waist. She lay curled on her side. He gently pulled her blankets up around her.

She made a little sound of contentment and curled up even more under the sheets. He smiled and sat slowly and carefully on the edge of the bed. He pushed back her hair gently, smoothing it away from her face.

Her brow wrinkled and her nose crinkled cutely. Her eyes fluttered open and she blinked at him sleepily. He hated to wake her, but he thought it best if he gave her the medicine Hatori recommended. He wanted her to eat, but not if she was just going to lose her lunch two minutes later.

She started a little, surprised to see him so close. "Shigure-san!" She yelped and sat up quickly. The movement was too quick and the room spun. She put a hand to her head and turned colors.

Sensing what was about to happen, Shigure moved quickly. He picked up the wastebasket and pulled her to him. He held her over it as she lost what little she had left in her stomach.

Embarrassed at her body's reaction she began babbling apologies barely before she'd finished. Shigure tried to hush her making soothing noises. He was glad the others weren't home, he had Tooru in a rather compromising position. He'd slung her over his lap so that her head hung over the bed and into the wastebasket he held. She was braced up against one knee so that his hands were free. One rubbed gently at her back while the other held the wastebasket. She'd stopped apologizing and was snuffling in embarrassment instead.

"Finished?" Shigure asked gently. She'd gone boneless and limp. Her head lay against his knee. She didn't even have enough energy to move herself off his lap. She nodded, her cheek rubbing against the cloth of his yukata. She looked weakly up at him.

"I'm sorry Shigure-san."

"Ne, a flu isn't something to apologize for." He said softly. He pushed her hair back from her face. Setting down the basket, he carefully put his hands under her armpits and lifted her up against her pillows.

He pulled up her blankets and tucked her in again. She looked up at him pitifully.

He opened up the box of medicine and popped out one of the little capsules. "This is why Ha-san told me to get these." He smiled. "Sorry for taking so long." He handed her the tablet and filled up a glass of water for her. "These will make you sleepy, but I want you to eat before you sleep, ok?"

Tooru pouted as she took the pills. Eating was the last thing she wanted to do right now.

"To-ru-kun..." He said firmly, "You won't get any better if you don't follow doctor's orders." She looked up, her eyes wide at his tone. He could see the fear there and regretted that he'd spoken so strongly. He sighed and looked at her as sincerely as he could.

"Ne... I know Tooru-kun doesn't have much trust in me right now. But this is what Hatori recommended. At least trust in his doctor's skill." She nodded. He sighed again. He reached out and brushed her hair behind her ear. He combed his hands through the strands, playing with the ends as he reached them.

"I've scared Tooru-kun." He kept his gaze on the strands of hair between his fingers. "Haven't I?"

"Y-yes." Tooru felt breathless. She hiccupped and tried not to let the tears behind her eyes fall. "Shigure-san scared me." She brought up a hand to scrub at her eyes.

Shigure wanted to pull her to him, to let her cry into his shoulder. He was afraid that she'd flinch and draw back, and he didn't want to see that. Instead he pushed the hair he hand in his fingers back over her shoulder. As much as he wanted to keep playing with her hair, to have some contact with her, he took his hands back into his lap. "Is Tooru scared of me right now?"

"Yes." Tooru's voice was tiny. She was afraid of him. She was afraid of what he'd do if she told him. She was afraid of what he'd do if she stayed silent. She was just afraid. She hated it, hated the fear.

"Tooru..." He paused, "Tooru must forget her fear." He looked up and pinned her with his dark gaze. "I'm not asking for Tooru to love me again. But Tooru must forget her fear."

Her lips parted a little, he looked so serious. How was she supposed to forget her fear when he looked at her like that?

His eyes stayed steely, but his touch was gentle as he brushed his fingers across her cheek and under her chin. "Tooru must concentrate on one thing right now. Getting well should be all that Tooru thinks about."

He leaned forward and gave her a quick peck on the forehead. He drew back and looked into her wide eyes. He nodded, having said all he could think of to set her at ease. He stood, picked up the wastebasket and turned to go. He'd give her a little time to think of it.

Shigure felt a tug at his yukata and turned. Tooru's head was down. The hair he'd carefully arranged behind her ears had fallen forward again and was hiding her face. "Thank you, Shigure-san."


Shigure forced a careless smile on his face. "Ne, Tooru is usually the one taking care of all of us. Turnabout is fair play, ne? You should let yourself be taken care of sometimes."

"Yes!" Tooru said smiling back. It was a little tremulous, an a little uncertain. But it was the first true smile she'd given to him in a while.


Shigure's smile stretched wider and he rolled his shoulders. "Good girl. I'll bring you up your porridge in a few minutes."


He left the room with a little bit of a spring in his step. Things were moving forward, slowly, but forward nonetheless. He'd have her heart in his hands again soon, he was sure of it.

Tooru slumped back against the bed, exhausted. Every moment with Shigure was just so exhausting. But she couldn't help the flutter that swept through her heart at his promise and the look in his eyes. She ran her fingers through her hair where he'd played with the strands there. Her heart was so fickle.

The door opened and she started again. She smiled when she saw Kimagure's black snout push in. His ears perked up when he saw she was awake. Happily he trotted over to the bed and hopped up. She laughed to see he was still trailing his leash. She unhooked it and pet him.

The dog lolled his tongue and made pleased little rrrrs of pleasure. Tooru giggled. "I think I'm a little like Gure-kun." She whispered to him. "I think I like being petted too." Even while being afraid of Shigure, she'd enjoyed his gentle fingers through her hair.

Her smile drooped a bit and her hands slowed. Kimagure rolled over and looked up at her. He lapped at her hand, trying to remind her of his presence. "If I'm not Shigure's girlfriend, who will pet me then, Gure-kun?" She looked sadly at the dog. He thumped his tail sympathetically against the bed. "But I don't know if I can be with him anymore..." She leaned down and hugged the puppy. "...it was so bad..."

Kimagure let her hug him patiently, enjoying her closeness. He heard a gentle step at the door a short while later and lifted his head. Tooru lifted her head too and looked at Shigure. He held a small tray and the promised porridge on it. As soon as the smell hit her nose her mouth began watering.

Shigure's mouth quirked when he heard the loud grumble of Tooru's stomach. "Ne... Looks like I kept you waiting too long." He said playfully, and was pleased to be rewarded by a blush.

Tooru ducked her head. "I wasn't kept waiting." She said softly, feeling shy. "I didn't realize how hungry I was till Shigure-san came."

Shigure sat down on the edge of the bed and set the tray across her lap. He lifted the cover with a flourish and the steam poured off of the food. He picked up the spoon and scooped up a helping. He blew the steam off of it and then held it up to her lips. "Then Tooru should eat."


Tooru drew back. "Oh, but..." She said hesitantly. "I can feed myself."

Shigure looked hurt. "Ne, didn't Tooru agree that she should let herself be taken care of?"

"Yes, but.." Tooru began again.

"And didn't Tooru say she was hungry?" He asked looking at her seriously, but with a playful glint in his eyes.

"Yes...but..." Tooru said.

"And doesn't Tooru have to eat to try to get healthy and to follow doctor's orders?" He continued.

Yes...but..." Tooru tried again, already knowing she wouldn't be able to stand against him.

"Then Tooru should stop arguing and eat." He interrupted. When she didn't obediently open her mouth he looked at her reproachfully. "It's getting cold." He sighed, hating to have to resort to his last strategy when she still didn't open her mouth. "Kyou-kun will be hurt if you don't eat any of the porridge he made for you."

Tooru's mouth popped open, and Shigure slid the contents into it. "Good girl." He smiled, surprised that just seeing her eat was enough to erase the niggle of jealousy he got from her consideration of Kyou's feelings over his.

He scooped out another spoonful and held it up. He quirked an eyebrow, daring her to resist.

Tooru blinked at his puppy dog look. She couldn't help but giggle. Shigure smiled and waggled the spoon slightly. Obediently, she opened her mouth and accepted the porridge.

Shigure tried to linger over the porridge as long as he could. As he was scraping the last out of the bowl he saw Tooru yawns between the spoonfuls were growing. He fed her the last spoonful, giving a little sigh of regret. He put the lid on the bowl and set it on the beside table.

He smiled at the girl sitting on the bed. "And now Tooru must rest."

Tooru nodded, so tired that she was happy to slide down between the sheets without argument. Shigure couldn't resist. He mussed her hair, his fingers lingering in her hair. "Good girl." He said softly. "Sleep well." He kissed her on the forehead and then once quickly on each closed eyelid. "That's my good girl." He whispered.



Tooru's eyelids were so heavy she couldn't seem to lift them again. Shigure's hand stayed tangled in her hair as he knelt by the bed. "Tooru-chan will always be my girl..." He whispered, so soft she wondered if she even really heard him. "...my heart, forever..."


Tooru's lips parted, and she let out a long low breath as she drifted completely to sleep. The man sat and watched her for a while, not wanting to loose any precious time alone with her. He knew it was a combination of the illness, her exhaustion, and the medication that made her relaxed enough to sleep in front of him now. He knew it, but he had to think it was at least a little encouraging. Perhaps she did still love him a little bit. If she loved him a little bit he knew he could fan that flame so that it burned bright again.

Finally though he had to leave her. The others would be coming home soon. He didn't think it would be good for them to find him sitting with his hand tangled in her hair.

It certainly wouldn't be good for his continued health. So instead he went and cleaned up. He fed Kimagure and finally himself. With Tooru ill, he realized he'd have to think about dinner as well. He poked his head in the fridge. There were leftovers that the boys could eat. He sighed. He'd best leave dinner to Kyou. As much as he hated to admit it, Hatori was right. He did have to let them do something.



He looked down at the puppy who was trailing after him. "I never thought I'd be upset about letting someone else cook." He said ruefully.

He went to sit in the living room after he made some tea. 'Domestically inclined' had never been words he thought could be applied to him. He sat and considered that his relationship with Tooru was changing him in ways he'd never considered.

After school the house was invaded.

Tooru being ill had gotten around, Shigure reflected as Arisa and Saki followed a red-eared Kyou into the house. The author was quick to let them know that Tooru was sleeping and shouldn't be disturbed. Once he'd filled them in on the details and they were assured that she would be ok, they agreed to wait till she woke to visit with her.

The tall yankee corralled Kyou into the kitchen. They quickly set to making noise and a mess in trying to prepare some meals for the household to live on while Tooru was out of commission. Hanajima tonelessly informed him she'd be cleaning the bathrooms and then starting the laundry. Shaking his head and wondering where Yuki was, Shigure retreated back to his study.

After the third time he heard a pot clang in the kitchen Shigure growled and rose from his desk. They'd wake Tooru if they kept making all that noise. More irritated then was probably warranted; Shigure was about to step into the kitchen to scold Kyou and Uotani when he was brought up short. The two were fighting over a pot in the sink.

Each had one hand on a pot and they were tugging it back and forth between them, squabbling companionably. Uotani grinned and reached over with her free hand to mess with Kyou's hair. The boy wrenched back, flushing, but then got a wicked smile on his face. He took his free hand and splashed it in the sink, flicking the tall girl with soapy water. Arisa laughed bringing up her hand in surprise.

Shigure grinned. So it was becoming like *that* between the two of them. Well, he certainly wasn't going to object. But they were still making quite a bit of noise, and Tooru was sleeping upstairs. He coughed loudly.

Starting in surprise Uo-chan and Kyou both released the pot at the same time. It clattered to the floor loudly. They all winced at the loud ringing clatter it made. Kyou's ears pinked while a slight answering flush chased over Arisa's cheeks.

"Ne... I appreciate that you are making dinner for us all, but lets try to be quiet. Tooru-kun should sleep as much as possible." Shigure said wagging a finger at them. He doubted either of the two guilty teens standing in front of him had even admitted to themselves that they had an interest in the other. But it was a possibility and an opportunity that Shigure would take well advantage of when the time came.

"I was being quiet `till this Yankee..." Kyou started.

"Don't try to pin it on me..." Arisa sharply retorted.

"It doesn't matter who's fault it is..." A soft voice commented from Shigure's elbow, "...what matters is the consequences." Hanajima looked up at the man at her side. "...ne?"

Shigure swallowed. "R-right." When had she come up behind him? He smiled at the two in the kitchen. "So lets all try to keep it down."

Kyou and Uo-chan nodded and went back to work. Shigure turned to go back into the living room, but Hana-chan stood barring his path. She stared at up at him, still garbed in her cleaning gear. She was almost looking through him rather than at him.

"We should all be mindful of the consequences of our actions." She held his gaze for a moment more and then blinked finally and turned. "I'll be cleaning the downstairs bathroom now."

"Al...Alright." Shigure said shakily. Just which action was she referring to? When he was plotting over Kyou's and Arisa's possible relationship? Was she referring to Tooru?

He sat at his desk shakily. That damn girl saw too much, either way. He didn't need her warnings on Tooru's account. He'd learned his lesson. He saw it in every shiver Tooru made at his approach. He frowned.

He'd told Tooru that she didn't have to love him again, but he'd been lying. She had to. He couldn't give her up. She was his, his heart, forever. He would make her see it. He'd make her love him again. He scrubbed at his face wearily.