chinky-FIED note: What is the exact term for a Shigure and Tohru story? Shihru, Tohure? Eer, well which ever it is...this story is it.

Disclaimer: Fruit's Basket is the property of Takaya.

Darkest Passion

Chapter 1 - Inspiration

"You both have plans?" Shigure asked stunned. "With who?" He looked down at both the rat and the cat.

"I have a school meeting." Yuki perched his bag on his back. "I'll be home later. Don't wait up." He gave a wave before heading out the door. Kyo leaped to his feet and headed for the door.

"What's your excuse?" Shigure leaned against the kitchen entrance. Kyo glanced back and grinned.

"I promised Kagura I'd take her to the movies today. If I don't get their before her she'll think I stood her up. . .and beat me up when I actually arrive." Shigure simply chuckled to himself. He gave a final farewell wave before sliding the front door shut. He sighed and headed back towards the kitchen. So much for spending time together. Instead of mopping around, he decided it was for the best that the two boys get out of the house. They had been fighting all week and a couple of hours apart might actually help. Especially since Shigure was running out of repair money. Setting the tea kettle on the stove, he began to make tea. He needed something to drink while working on his story.

"Now," he said after proping himself onto the floor. He sat in his study, the hum of the night insects began to circulate through the room. "How to start." Half way done with the story, he was simply stumped. The middle chapter, where everything started getting really good and he couldn't think of a thing. He starred down at his type writter. Three days befor deadline and he was stumped. Of course, he thought to himself. Rubbing the back of his head he starred up at the ceiling. Come on you old dog, think of something.

A few hours had passed since the two men had left Shigure, starring down at his paper it starred back, blank just as before. Grabbing his hair out of frustration. "Gah! Come on! Writer's block three days from deadline!" Slumping forward, slamming his head on his desk. Ow! He groaned to himself. Four tea kettle's later, Shigure stood in front of fridge starring in disbelief. They were for once, since Tohru started living with them, out of food. The fridge was cleaned out. Not even a crumb. "You can't work on an empty stomach." Grabbing his coat from the hall closet he slid the front door open. To his surprise, starring into his eyes, Tohru stood.

"Oh!" She took a step back, "Shigure."

"Hello Tohru." He smiled, his jacket still in his hand. "You're finally home."

"Yes." She smiled now, "sorry I took forever. I stopped by the store after work." She held up a few bags before glancing down. Shigure was shocked. Their were at least ten other bags on the ground.

"You. . ." He pointed down, "you carried them all home." With a smile she nodded her head. "By yourself?"

"Yup!" She held up the bags that were in her hand,"if you don't mind. . .could you help me bring them in?" Without a word Shigure quickly picked up the rest of the bags and helped Tohru sort through them.

"Crab, bags of rice, squid, mint, thyme, cabbage." He looked up at Tohru, "how did you afford all of this?"

"My pay check." She smiled, reaching into her pocket she pulled out the few dollars she had left. "This was suppose to be rent. . ." before she could finish Shigure slammed his hand to the table, causing her to jump. "I. . .I. .I'm sorry." She pulled the money back towards her. Clutching to it.

"Tohru." He spoke softly, "you don't pay rent." He smiled sincerely. "Keep whatever you have left and I'll pay you back for buying all this wonderful food." Afraid to turn down his offer she simply nodded. She looked around now, realizing their was no bickering.

"It's quiet?"

"Yeah. Nice, huh?" He laughed. "The two boys went out. Not together, though." He said in a saddened-tone, "went their seperate ways." Tohru could sense his sarcasm and only smiled.

"Well then I guess I'll only be making dinner for two." She clapped her hands together, dashing around Shigure, fixing their dinner. "How's your story?" She asked as she cut the cabbage in half. Shigure's eyes widened. His head dropped in disbelif, he couldn't believe he had totally forgotten about his story. Not that it was really going anywhere.

"Eh." He rubbed the back of his head. "Not so great."

"Oh?"

"I seem to have no inspiration and the deadline is three days from now." She stopped mid-cut and looked up with concerned eyes. "With the house so quiet it seems I just can't think straight."

"Oh. . ."

He looked at her and smiled. Her eyes were so innocent. Everything about her was so innocent. That's when it hit him. She's nothing but an innocent bud waiting to bloom. Starring patiently, Tohru could see his eyes. He was in a deep thought. She'd never seen him this way. Deep dark eyes, cloudy with thoughts. It was different.

Dinner had ended just as fast as it had started. Leaving Tohru to clean the kitchen, since she insisted he work on his story, he plopped himself to the ground yet again. Starring blankly at his type writer. Innocent bud, she's nothing but an innocent bud. His eyes darkened again. Passing his room she could hear the type writer clicking away. She smiled, he finally found inspiration.