An: Yes . . . A NEW STORY!!!! And FRUITS BASKET! I'd like to think I know the Frutis Basket story pretty well . . .I've only read it 15 times . . .

I didn't really know where to start at first, but my friend came up with this idea . . . Yep . . . she she's so clever.

let me know if there's any OBVIOUSE spelling and gammer errors. I'm sick right now, so . . . I'm not sure how good it is. I get loopy and emotional when I'm sick.

So many people hate Shigure.

Chapter 1

At the Estate

"I"M SORRY!" wailed a very, very sorry man. His cry could have probably been heard all over Japan, and certainly was heard by everyone in the estate.

Shigure paused mid step as he heard the voice of Ritsu Sohma and wondered why his cousin had come to the main estate. He didn't really care that Ritsu was sorry. He could really care less since the lunatic man was sorry about everything, but he was amusing to watch and Shigure found it enjoyable to torment the poor man.

One of the servants rushed to Shigure. "Shigure-san! Ritsu-san is planning to kill himself!"

Was this servant new? "Yes, yes he does that . . . Don't worry about it. I was about to ask you where he is, but I think I can manage to find him myself." Shigure found Ritsu on his knees, Mitsuru was also on her knees too, holding the frantic Ritsu's wrists as he waved his arms about.

"I'M SORRY! I HAVE NEVER DONE A MORE SINFUL CRIME AS I HAVE DONE NOW! I'M THE WORST PERSON EVER! TO THINK THAT I COULD DO THIS TO THE ONE PERSON THAT HAS EVER TRULY MADE ME HAPPY! I'M SORRY MITSURU-SAN! I MUST BE STABBED REPEATEDLY UNTIL I BLEED TO DEATH!" he cried, holding a knife that Mitsuru was trying to take away. Hmm . . . maybe Shigure should try to take that away from him, too.

"NO RITCHAN! IF YOU MUST KILL YOURSELF, YOU SURLY MUST KILL ME FIRST! I CANNOT STAND TO LIVE A LIFE WITHOUT YOU!"

"IF ANYONE SHOULD BE KILLING ANYONE, IT IS YOU TO KILL ME FOR THAT HORRIBLE THING!"

Shigure cleared his throat.

"SHIGURE-SAAAAAN!" Ritsu sobbed onto the floor. "I HAVE COMMITTED A HORRIBLE CRIME!!!"

"SHIGURE-SAN?!" Mitsuru grabbed the knife from Ritsu's hand and brandished it at Shigure. "STAY AWAY FROM ME YOU HORRIBLE MONSTER!"

"Welcome to the main estate," Shigure said happily. "Now Ritchan . . . what brings you and the lovely Mii-chan here."

Mitsuru glared at Shigure as Ritsu cried, "THE HORRIBLE SIN THAT I HAVE COMMITTED HAS BROUGHT ME TO THE MAIN ESTATE! THERE IS NO PUNISHMENT WITH ENOUGH SUFFERING TO SERVE JUSTICE!"

"Yeah . . ."

"We've come to see the head of the family," said Mitsuru indifferently.

"For what?"

"I'M SORRY!" Ritsu started again. "I PUT SHAME ON THE WHOLE FAMILY! I PUT SHAME TO MITSURU-SAN! I PUT SHAME ON THE WORLD! I'M SORRY MITSURU-SAN! I"M SORRY FOR FERTILIZING YOU!"

"What!?" Shigure cried out in surprise. Ritsu was squirming on the floor as if he was having a seizure.

"We've come to ask the head of the family's blessing for our marriage," Mitsuru said much more calm then Ritsu.

"You're getting married?" Shigure asked, still in shock as he watched the spasmodic Ritsu and trying to figure out how Ritsu could possibly have fathered a child.

"Well we kind to have to now!" Mitsuru said angrily.

"HOW CAN A CHILD EVER RESPECT A FATHER LIKE ME! I WILL BE AN EMBARRASSMENT TO MY CHILD FOR THE REST OF MY CHILD'S LIFE! I'M SORRY CHILD!"

"Ritchan!" said Mitsuru. "Your child will love you as mush as I do!"

"Your words are too kind . . . " whimpered Ritsu, his face still pressed to the floor. "I do not deserve such words . . ."

"How on earth . . ." Shigure started.

"IT WAS AN ACCIDENT!" cried out Ritsu.

"As I was saying, how on earth . . . Are you sure Ritsu's the father?"

"Yes!" Mitsu said even more angrily.

"So it actually-"

"YES! Yes! Yes! We did not come here to speak with you!" Ritsu was crying in the background.

"Right . . . You came here to see Akito . . ." he winced.

"Shigure-san," said a servant, bowing as she entered the room. "Akito-san, will not come out of her room and requests your presence at once."

"Thank you. I'll be there later."

"But the head of the family says it's of the upmost importance . . ."

Shigure ignored her. "As you can see," he said to the couple. "Akito will not see you. But you're lucky. I'm still here!" He grinned at Mitsuru who glared at him with more power then before.

"You are not the head of the family!"

"If I married Akito I would be, so I'm pretty close."

Mitsuru blinked at that statement. Ritsu had told her before that Akito was actually female . . . soon after he explained that he himself was male- Ritsu's gender was questionable to her when they first met because of his fairness and his habit of cross dressing- but thinking that Shigure of all people would marry Akito . . . ? Maybe he was kidding just to play with her mind. . . . As he often did. The thought of Shigure being the Head of the Family was horrifying!

"Yes, Yes, So . . . as Head of the Family substitute . . . I deny your request for my blessing."

Ritsu screeched at this news and threw his arms around Mitsu, sobbing into her shoulder and shaking her.

Shigure burst into laughter and Mitsu glared at him as she was gently shook by Ritsu.

"Oh, this is hysterical! I can't wait to tell Hatori . . . and Aya! Oh, Aya will be ecstatic!"

"Would you remove yourself from us?!" cried out Mitsu, who was now trying to calm down Ritsu.

"Mit-chan dear, have you ever met Akito before?"

"I've seen him-I mean her before."

Shigure let out a dry laugh. "Oh Mitsu . . . so young and naive."

"Don't you have to go somewhere?" asked Mitsu, trying to get rid of him.

"Alas . . . since I've retired as a writer I have nothing to do with all my time!"

The servant cleared her throat. "Um, Shigure-san, Akito-san . . ."

Shigure sighed. "Except for maybe that . . ."

Mitsu raised an eyebrow, wondering why he wouldn't just leave and let Ritsu and her have their peace.

"Ok, ok. I'll talk to Akito and ask her to speak to the two of you . . . but I can't make any promises."

"A promise from you means nothing anyway," Mitsu said, relieved that he was about to go.

Shigure bowed. "Well. This experience was . . . enjoyable." He stifled a giggle. "I hope to see you soon." He turned to go, but Ritsu scrambled over to him on his knees, grabbing his kimono.

"OH SHIGURE-SAN! YOU ARE SO KIND! I DON'T DESERVE THIS! THERE MUST BE SOMETHING I CAN DO THAT MIGHT BE REPAYMENT! EVEN THOUGH NOTHING I COULD EVER DO WOULD EVER REPAY YOUR KINDNESS!" Ritsu sobbed.

"Ritchan!" Mitsu cried. "Please, you are a hundred-time better man then Shigure is!" Mitsu put her arms around Ritsu and pulled him away, letting Shigure leave the room.

As Shigure walked slowly to Akito, he imagined the lovely welcoming he would get.

"HOW COME IT TOOK SO LONG FOR YOU TO GET HERE?!" she would scream. "DIDN'T THE SERVANT TELL YOU HOW IMPORTANT THIS IS!? WHAT COULD YOU POSSIBLY BE DOING THAT WAS MORE IMPORTANT! YOU LAZY BASTARD! YOU CARE MORE ABOUT YOURSELF THEN ME! I HATE YOU!" and so on . . . Yep, those sweet words that warmed his heart so. He placed his hand over his chest as he thought that.

He arrived at their room, for that was where Akito usually stayed, though she had been trying to get out more, and open the door.

He awaited for the lovely screaming to start . . . but it didn't. He looked around the room and it was dark, smelling musty.

"Akitooo!" He sang.

Akito was a lump under the covers in bed, a flash of black hair on the pillow.

"The room could use a little air . . ." He opened a window and unshaded the blinds. Akito moved more into the blankets when the light touched her. "You do know it's afternoon, right?" He knelt next to the bed, giving her a poke in the head with his finger. He expected to be shower with angry screams, but to his disappointment, Akito only groaned. "Akito?"

Akito moved her face to see Shigure's. "Shigure . . . I don't feel well . . . I think . . . I think my time is short. The same thing happened to my father when he was around my age . . ." Tears started to roll down her cheeks. "And we don't even have an heir!"

Shigure stared at her thoughtfully, trying not to laugh. "I see . . . so this is important."

Akito brought her arms over her face, a sob escaping her body.

"Now my dear, you mustn't worry . . . I'm sure you'll get better . . ."

"I'm DYING! Shigure, I know your mind is incapable of comprehending anything that is serious, but there is nothing that will make me better! I had a doctor check on me! There is nothing! I have less then a year, he says!"

"Really . . . is this doctor Hatori?"

Akito ignored him. "Time is short. We need an heir now, Shigure!"

Shigure then failed to keep himself laughing. "Oh Akito . . . you are so funny . . ."

Akito gave him a dirty look.

"Akito . . . you don't want some kid running around here. You can barely take care of yourself!"

Akito sat up from bed. "IT'S NOT LIKE I WANT ONE NOW! IM DYING! WE NEED TO CONTINUE THE LINE!"

"Ha, ha, ha . . ." Shigure put his hand on Akito's shoulder. " . . . No."

"Yes!"

"Akito . . . I think you are overreacting . . ."

"I'M NOT OVERREACTING!" She threw a tissue box that was on the bed stand at him, then started coughing. With her energy spent, she slipped back into the covers.

"Oh, I was supposed to tell you that Ritsu and Mitsuru wish to have your blessing to get married." He didn't mention Mitsuru being pregnant . . . not when Akito was on this train of thought.

"What do I care what they do with their lives?" Akito muttered into her pillow.

"They would really like to see you . . ."

"I do not feel well! Maybe on another day . . . when I feel better."

"So you will be cured from this . . . sickness?"

"I'll get better, not cured! Go away! I don't want to look at you anymore."

"If that's what you want . . ." He got up slowly, giving her time to change her mind. "I'll just have to deal with them myself. . . ."

"Good."

"Then talk to Hatori. He must know all about your 'condition'."

Akito pushed herself from the bed to glare at Shigure. "Hatori doesn't know!"

"Now why wouldn't he? He's our doctor, isn't he?"

"I went to another doctor."

"Why?"

Akito pulled her legs out of bed. "Fine, I'll go see those idiots, if you stop asking these unbearable questions!"

"Unbearable?"

"Do you enjoy talking about your death?!" she went into another coughing fit as she went to her closet to get something warmer to wear.

"Don't push yourself," Shigure said, his hands folded in his sleeves.

When Akito was done, she hobbled over to the door. Shigure noticed that Akito looked paler then usual, and her hair was flimsy and oily. She was definitely not healthy, but Shigure didn't believe she was nearly as bad as she believed. That, and she probably hadn't bathed that day.

They walked down the hall together, Akito stomping besides him.

"Here we are!" Shigure announced as they walked into the room where Ritsu and Mitsuru were waiting. Akito flopped down onto a pillow, her long sleeves over her face, so that only her dark eyes could glare out into the world.

"Ritsu, would you like to introduce your . . . fiance?"

"Yes . . ." Ritsu whimpered. "This is . . . This is . . . Mitsuru . . . PLEASE REGARD HER KINDLY!"

"For the love of . . ." Akito moved her large sleeves over her ears.

"I'm so sorry," said Mitsuru. "If you don't mind me saying, you look terrible. Maybe you should go back to bed. We're sorry for disturbing you."

"WE DISTURBED YOU!" Ritsu cried, as if he just realized this.

"You can say that again . . ." Shigure muttered.

"I'M SORRY! YOU ARE NOT WELL! YOU SHOULD BE SLEEPING! YOU CAN'T GET WELL WITHOUT REST! YOU'LL BE SICK FOREVER! YOU MIGHT EVEN DIE!"

Akito gave Shigure a flat glare. "At least that fool believes me . . . What is it that you want?"

"We wish to accept your blessing in our marriage," Mitsuru said bowing, for she didn't think Ritsu would be able to say it. "And to personally invite you to our wedding."

Akito got up. "Fine! You have my blessing!" Then she stomped out of the room.

Mitsuru stared after her, afraid that she might have upset her in some way. Ritsu wept into his hands.

"Well . . ." Shigure said. "I'm sure Akito would love to go to your wedding, as for a definite answer . . . we'll get back to you on that."

Shigure followed Akito to their room. Akito was back on the bed, and Shigure took a seat on the floor, sitting cross legged watching her. He hummed a turn, softly so not to be too disturbing . . . but he wasn't leaving till Akito told him what was going on.

Akito opened her eyes and watched him, sleepily. Sprawled out on the bed like that, Shigure couldn't help thinking how beautiful she was, even when she was sick.

"Shigure . . ." Akito started. Here it comes . . . "You do realize how important it is to carry out my line? Once it dies out, there will be dispute in who gets the family money."

"Akito . . . can't we like . . . not worry about that right now? You're only 22. It's not like you'll getting too old . . ."

"Shigure!" She snapped. "Stop refusing to see the fact that I'm dying!"

"Why did you see a different doctor?"

Akito hesitated. "I didn't want Hatori to know . . . I don't want the rest of the family to know either. Not till after the baby is born."

Shigure gave Akito a long look. "Ok."

"So you believe me? You'll agree to have the child?"

"Not in the slightest," laughed Shigure. "I think you're making it all up!"

"WHY THE HELL WOULD I BE MAKING IT UP!?" she screamed, throwing a pillow at him.

"Why you do a lot of things is a mystery . . . though if I think about it hard enough, I can usually figure it out."

"I'M NOT LYING!" Akito sobbed, looking at Shigure pleadingly. Shigure only stared at her back. "BELIEVE ME!"

He only stared.

Akito let out a cry, "GET OUT!" she said, pointing at the door. Shigure did so obediently.

"And that's what happened," sighed Shigure. "As you can see, none of this could possibly be my fault!"

"Hmm . . ." Hatori took a sip of his tea and stared hard at Shigure.

"I was behaving so well today, too. Akito was fine this morning. Then she went out. . . . Apparently to see that doctor . . . and next thing I know she's dying!"

"Well I've gotten a notice saying Akito doesn't wish to see me anymore."

Shigure gapped at Hatori. " No . . . she fired you? Can she do that?! What would you do without a job!? I know I can live without a job, but you Tori-kun . . ."

"She didn't fire me," Hatori interrupted in annoyance. "She just doesn't want me to examine her any longer."

"Hmm . . . I wonder if I should be worried about this new doctor . . . Will you defend me if I have to kill him?" Shigure asked with a grin.

"No," Hatori said seriously.

"This is all very peculiar . . ."

"You are sure that Akito isn't actually dying, right Shigure."

Shigure laughed and raised a hand. "She's the queen of drama queens. I'm sure she's perfectly fine!"

Hatori raised an eyebrow. "You are completely sure."

"Yes," Shigure said seriously. "That's enough about my problems like talk about your's!"

"My problems?" Hatori asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Yes, yes."

"What problems are those?"

Shigure laughed. "Oh Hatori, you can't deny it. You obviously have problems!"

Hatori glared at him. "You are four seconds away from me shoving you out of my house."

"Ok, Ok I'll tell you since you seem to be too ignorant to notice your problem. I will try to explain it to you. Why on earth have you not called Mayu in over a month?"

"I have had no need to call Shiraki-san . . . and I doubt she is any of your business."

"Oh, come on Tori-kun . . ." Shigure pouted. "What's the matter?"

"She and me, are merely friends. There's nothing to get worked up over."

"Hatori . . . are you lying to me?" Shigure put a hand over his heart. "You have never lied to me before!" Shigure threw his arms over the table they sat at, as if he would sob. "Tori-kuuuun!"

"That's it. You're out."

"Wait! I almost forgot to tell you something!"

Hatori gave him a flat look, waiting for him to continue.

"I'm sure you'll find out eventually anyway, but I found out the most fascinating news about Ritchan and Mii-chan!"

"When are you going to leave that poor couple alone?"

Shigure laughed. "Well the two of them are getting married!"

"Hmm . . ." Hatori took another sip of his tea. "Well, that's a surprise. Ritsu must be gaining more confidence."

"Oh, that's not the best part. Do you know why they are getting married?"

Hatori didn't answer.

"Ritchan got Mii-chan pregnant!"

Hatori hid his surprise well, only lifting one eyebrow as Shigure sprawled on the table, laughing hysterically. Eventually, Shigure sobered up. "Can you imagine it?"

"I don't think it's polite 'imaging' other people's intimate relationships."

"Oh Hatori . . . you always make me feel as if I'm the lowest of beings . . ."

"Because you are," Hatori said simply. He looked at the clock. "I have to leave soon."

"To do what? Call up Mayu-chan?" asked Shigure with a sly grin.

"No. I have work to do."

Shigure sighed again. "Your life seems so boring! Work, work, work! We should get out some time. We can bring Aya and Mine! . . . and Mayu-chan!"

"I'm sorry to tell you . . . that Mayu has told me that she hates you with a serious passion."

"Yes . . . so many women do . . . she must still have left over feelings for me from when dated as those years ago!"

Hatori gave him a long look. "Why she ever dated you in the first place, is beyond me."

"It is a mystery, isn't it. Maybe you should ask her about it."

"It's none of my business." Hatori stood up and Shigure did the same.

"Well, I guess I see you tomorrow. Tomorrow . . ." Shigure thought about that with joy. "Ever since I moved back into the estate, I get to see you so much more often!"

"I know . . . I can hardly contain my excitement," Hatori said in a monotone voice.

Shigure laughed and left.

Shigure slid the door open slowly, as so not to wake Akito. He thought she was asleep in the bed, but it turned out to just be a mound of blankets.

"Where have you been?" Akito croaked. Shigure found her in the corner of the dark room, curled up in her robes, and glaring at him. The little light that came from the moon, made her black eyes glint menacingly.

"Akito! Why on earth are you on the floor?!"

Akito got up, ignoring the question. "Where have you been?!"

"I was at Hatori's."

Akito's expression turned blank for a moment, before she blinked. "This whole time?!"

"Well, obviously not, for Ha'ri is a very busy man. I wasn't only there for about a half an hour." Shigure had this habit of always saying the wrong thing . . . He'd say things he didn't mean, just to make the other person angry and at times when his best bet was to lie, he decided to tell the truth. Another thing is, Shigure didn't do this on accident, he did it because he found it amusing.

"THEN WHERE ELSE DID YOU GO?!"

"Um . . . shopping?"

"Why would you go shopping for?! You've never gone shopping in your life!"

"You're right . . . I don't much care for shopping . . ." Shigure said, putting a finger to his lips.

"You were drinking with those pigs at the bar again!"

"Oh, you caught me. Isn't funny how neither of us can remember their names. Pigs . . . that's a good one. Though I'm starting to wonder if they are actually the same people every time . . . I think-this is my theory-that every night, the 'Pigs' are different people, but I can never be sure, because their faces are always such a blur . . ."

" . . . What the hell are you talking about?! Shigure, you have to be more responsible, especially when I'm gone and you'll have to raise the child by yourself."

"Child, what?"

"The HEIR!"

"Oh . . . Akito . . . I'm going to be quite clear with you. No."

"WE WILL HAVE ONE!"

"Akito, you are aware, that without my involvement, you can't win in this?"

"You will do as you're told!" she cried.

"Um . . . no thank you."

"YOU WILL AGREE TO HAVE THIS CHILD! I ORDER YOU AS HEAD OF THE FAMILY!"

"Nope," Shigure said with a smile.

She screamed and threw a vase at him that sat by the window. Shigure barely dodged it, the glass shattering and the red flowers falling limply on the ground. "GET OUT THEN!"

Shigure hastily left the room, afraid Akito may find something worse to throw at him, and Akito locked the door behind him.

She collapsed on the bed with a sob that was cut off by a cough.