Shigure walked into the room, staring down at the newspaper intently. He sits half consciously at the kotatsu. To the side of the kotatsu, Yuki and Tohru you are watching Mogeta. Tohru wonders if Kisa and Hiro are watching the show together somewhere in the Sohma's residence. She smiles to herself, remembering how Momiji had been dragging them both to his house so that they could spend time together, away from the prying eyes and ears of the maids that Akito had at each of their houses.
Shigure cleared his throat, shaking Tohru out of her current thoughts and back to reality.
"Since the holidays are coming up, how about we all go on vacation together?" Shigure pips up from behind his newspaper, without showing any signs of pulling his attention away from it.
"Hatori thinks trip to Hawaii would be nice." Shigure sets down the paper on the table with a slight smile on his lips, as Yuki turned his head to look over at him.
"A trip? Who's going?" Yuki asked in a slightly curious tone.
"Oh, as many people as we can cram into the plane." Shigure says with a laugh.
"Isn't that illegal, idiot?" Kyo says as he reveals himself from his hiding place where he eavesdropped, and taking a seat across from Shigure.
"Who has to know? It'll be our little secret. . . . And if we don't have spare seat Tohru could always sit in my lap." Shigure said aiming a wink at Tohru.
Tohru lightly blushes. "Oh that won't be necessary, I could just stand or something-.." Tohru stammered nervously.
" Not in your dreams mutt." Kyo says glaring across the kotatsu at Shigure.
"Prevert." Yuki says in a harsh tone then turns to Tohru, "Don't mind him Tohru, you'll have your own seat on the plane with no problem. Because Shigure will be the one standing up." Yuki said as he shot a glare over his shoulder at Shigure.
Shigure starts to whine with a fake cry, "How could you say such a thing? You young people are so cruel, making and old man like me stand up on a long flight." Shigure shakes his head, "What is the world coming to?!"
""Anyway, though the list is looking good it seems Momiji, Hiro, Kisa, and Haru will be attending." Shigure says with finality.
Tohru smiled. "Oh how I've missed Kisa! I can't wait to see her!"
Shigure smiled. "So I take it you're going on the trip then, Tohru. Well what about you two?" Shigure questioned, turning towards Yuki and Kyo.
"Come on, Haru will be there to throw the moves on you Yuki, and he'll keep you busy too, Kyo." Shigure probes. Both Kyo and Yuki roll their eyes.
Tohru turns to the two "You guys are coming right? So we can all be together, right?" Tohru looked up at them hopeful.
"So cute." Kyo thought as he turned his head to hide his light blush.
"Of course we'll go, Tohru." Yuki says, smiling down at Tohru reassuringly and ribbing Kyo, "Isn't that right Kyo?" Yuki pushes, in a slightly threatening tone.
"Yeah, Yeah." Kyo responds without glancing over in Tohru's direction. "So when is this trip, anyway?" he asks standing up and stretching.
"In three days." Shigure half sings in his happy voice.
"What?!" Everyone says in unison
"Oh did I forget to mention that tiny part?" Shigure offered his most charming smile and fake innocent voice.
"We're leaving the country in three days, and you failed to mention it?!" Kyo yells, rage skyrocketing.
"Well, all you need are passports and to pack your luggage" Shigure says with a light shrug.
Tohru looks down and starts to fiddle with her fingers. "A passport?" She questioned quietly.
"Tohru you do have a passport don't you?" Yuki asks politely.
"Well, um, you see, I've never been on any extravagant trips like this. . . Maybe I shouldn't go after all . ." Tohru said staring down into her lap.
"Tohru don't worry, this is all Shigure's fault, but don't worry. We will pull a few strings, and you get your passport in no time." Yuki says, lifting her chin gently, and giving her a reassuring wink.
"Kyo, do you have a passport?" Tohru asks quietly.
"Yeah." Kyo grumbles.
"All the Sohmas have passports regardless of whether we need them or not." Yuki answers matter-of-factly.
Kyo got up and left the room without a backwards glance.
"How about tomorrow afternoon? You and me go get your passport, Tohru?" Yuki asked, ignoring Kyo's exit.
"Oh okay. Thank you Yuki." Tohru says with a gentle smile.
Yuki smiles back. "You better go tell Ao and Hamajima what you're planning. I'm sure they're gonna wanna hear the news and see you off."
"Oh!" Tohru said jumping up, "that's right, I only have 3 days! I should start preparing right away. What am I doing wasting time?!"" Tohru said speed walking toward the doorway, "I have to call Uo, Hamajima, and Grandpa. Oh and I must remember to get them souvenirs... I wonder if I have enough money.." Tohru mumbled as she walked out of the room still adding things to her today list.
"Such a nice kind girl." Shigure said as Tohru walked out of sight and his eyes returned back to his newspaper.
"Yes, yes she is." Yuki said turning to Shigure, "but you are not a kind man. So what's the catch here?" Yuki said glaring sternly at Shigure.
"Oh Yuki, what's with all the hostility? I simply want to invite everyone on a trip to the islands and all of a sudden I'm the bad guy? Tsk, tsk. Have a little more faith in me Yuki." Shigure said giving Yuki a sly smile.
Yuki scoffed getting up and turning the tv off. "Don't you dare try anything Shigure." Yuki said as he walked to the door. "Or else you will regret it." He shot over his shoulder along with another stern look.
After Yuki left the room. Shigure chuckled to himself. "Oh I'm so scared. Well-" he said leaning back and lighting a cigarette, "it looks like my plan might encounter a few bumps, but all in all this will go down exactly as I planned."
"WHAT?!" Uo shouted
"Um, yes, you see the Sohmas have invited me to go on vacation with them . . And it would be very rude of me to object . . I'm so sorry it came at such a short notice, but Shigure wanted it to be a surprise and all . .so . . ." Tohru mumbled trawling the telephone cord around her finger nervously.
"Hm." was all Hamajima said
"HM?!" Uo echoed "Hamajima that's not an adequate response. How can we let our little Tohru go out into the big world without us?!"
"Uo-chan . . I will be alright please don't worry over me." Tohru said in a quiet voice.
"Uo we can't keep Tohru sheltered forever. Plus, the boys are tagging along. And believe me we will be making an appearance to ensure that or anyone else doesn't spoil this trip for Tohru." Hamajima says darkly into the phone.
Silence followed.
"-Fine but I'm bringing a lead pipe." Uo said reluctantly
"That's fine." Hamajima replies. "We'll be over the afternoon before you leave. We'll have a sleepover before you go and ride with you to see you off."
"Sounds good see you then Tohru~." Uo sang
"Um- I don't really think all of this is necessary it's-" Tohru tried to rush to say before things got set in stone.
"Bye Tohru." Hamajima and Uo sang out in unison hanging up before Tohru could try to persuade them otherwise.
Tohru looked at the phone. Sighed and figured she'd announce their visit at dinner tonight and set to calling her Grandpa.
Later At Dinner..
After Tohru had set out dinner and everyone had taken their seat. Shigure had finally set his newspaper over to the side.
"Mmm, it looks delicious Tohru." He said smiling warmly at her.
"Oh thank you. Shigure. I hope you enjoy you meal." She said smiling back at him.
"Itadakimasu." Everyone said in unison and started to dig in.
"Oh..um-there's something I meant to tell you guys." Tohru said halfway through the meal gaining everyone's attention.
"What is it Tohru?" Yuki says looking at her with slight concern.
"Well, you see, Hamajima and Uo kind of plan to drop by the afternoon before we are to leave. They want to have a sleepover before I go . . I hope it won't be too much trouble. They are worried about me and- . ." Tohru said quietly as she looked down in her lap playing with her fingers.
"Nonsense. Nonsense." Shigure said waving off Tohru's concern. " We will stock the house with snacks for them." Shigure said with a smile.
"Yeah, hopefully that'll put Hamajima in a good mood, and she won't sick us with her deadly electro waves." Kyo mumbled under his breath.
Yuki turned to Tohru "We understand, Tohru. If they are important to you then they are important to us. And it's natural for them to worry about you. You three have been through so much together. So don't worry they are always welcomed here." Yuki said with a warm smile.
Tohru smiled back and dinner carried on.