Chapter One

"Are you sure about this?"

"I am." Akito leaned against the window and stared out over the grounds. "She will go to live with you immediately."

Shigure bowed. He didn't want to contradict the head of the house, but he was in a bit of a confused daze. "I don't understand," he said, "why you want this?"

Akito turned, eyes narrowing. "And why should I tell you what my plans are?"

"Forgive me, Akito. I didn't mean to—"

"She doesn't know about the curse."

Shigure looked up in surprise. A complete stranger living in his house? A female one at that. And one who doesn't even know about the curse? Tohru was one thing, but this? Perhaps Akito is finally losing it mentally, Shigure thought.

"I see the look in your eyes, Shigure." Akito gave a tiny, mysterious smile. "You won't have to worry about her. If she hugs you… you won't turn."

Shigure gave a tiny gasp. "Akito--! What?"

"Hatsuharu ran into her yesterday…" Akito turned back to the window. "He ran into her quite literally, and he didn't turn. Being a bit stubborn, he tried hugging her and when nothing happened… he brought her here. To Hatori. He examined her…"

"Why is it Hatsuharu didn't turn?" Shigure asked.

"Not just him. Hatori tried after discovering what he thought was the reason." Akito's eyes flashed. "She isn't quite human."

Shigure looked down at the floor. "What is she?"

"That," Akito snapped, "is none of your business. What is your business is that she will be moving in with you. This is part of my new plan, since the Honda girl and Yuki…" Akito trailed off and glowered out at the grounds. "I want to see how this girl and the Cat get along. Do you understand me? I want reports about every meeting they have. You don't have to bring them to me daily, once a week will suit me just fine."

"Of course, Akito. I still don't understand…"

"She is their age, but she won't be attending the school." Akito watched as a bird landed on his outstretched hand. "She's a runaway and refuses to tell her family name. We've made an agreement with her. She's to become your assistant and we'll hide her from her family."

Assisting a girl in hiding from her family? Shigure thought, but didn't say anything.

"You may fetch her from Hatori's when you leave." The bird flew off and Akito slumped down. "Remember: the Cat. This is important."

"I'm not sure if I have enough room for another guest, Akito…"

Akito sighed heavily. "I thought as much. You will build an additional room. Two, if you want. I know when the Cat moved in you had your library and your room combined…"

Shigure bowed again. "If this is what you want—"

"Go."

Shigure turned and left Akito's room, his head whirling in confusion. He's definitely lost it!

Her name was Shizuka and she was a cute girl. She kept most her hair hidden in a black scarf that was wrapped tightly around her head, but her black M-shaped bangs hung down in her sparkling green eyes. She had a slender frame encased in a white tank top and loose-fitting black pants. And for some reason, despite her clothes, she wore a small obi tied low on her back.

"Thank you again, Sohma-san!" Shizuka said for the umpteenth time as they walked along the road towards Shigure's house. "I am very excited to meet you. I haven't read any of your books but I will, Sohma-kun… I'm very eager to please. I'll be the best assistant you've ever had."

Shigure laughed. "You'll be the only assistant I've ever had (eager to please, hmm?)! You can sleep in my room until we get your room built."

"Oh, I'll sleep on the couch Sohma-san!" Shizuka said, bowing as she walked. "I wouldn't want to kick you out of your room, Sohma-san!"

"I don't mind one bit." Shigure gave a smile. She does seem very eager to please. I wonder why she was running away? Tohru-chan is going to enjoy this. She'll think it will be great fun to get to know Shizuka-san
They arrived in front of Shigure's house. "The others are still at school," Shigure said, opening the door and taking off his shoes. "My cousins Yuki and Kyo, and there's Tohru Honda-chan. She's our housemaid and Yuki's girlfriend. She's a very sweet girl."

Shizuka bowed at the entrance of the house and removed her shoes. "I hope I'm not a bother, Sohma-san."

"There's no need for my family name here," Shigure said. "I moved here to get away from my family (and for some quiet which is impossible when Yuki and Kyo are here)."

Shizuka stood up and bowed again. "My apologies, Shigure-san."

"Let me give you a tour of the house…"

Shigure showed her around and every time they saw a new room, Shizuka would bow and say it-looks-very-nice-Shigure-san.

After he finished, Shigure decided where to put the new rooms. He'd put them on top of the other. His library on the bottom, Shizuka's room on the second floor. He'd have to start working on them right away. Who could he get to help? Kyo might, if he was in a good mood. And he was strong. Shigure didn't want to bother Yuki with working on building, because he didn't want his delicate cousin to get weak in the outside air. Hatsuharu? Ayame?

Shigure chuckled to himself, imagining Ayame trying to help build a room. That would be a disaster! An amusing disaster, but a disaster nonetheless. Hatsuharu He thought, watching Shizuka out of the corner of his eye He'd be a big help. I can get Yuki to convince him to help.

"You can put your things in my room," Shigure said.

"Oh no, Soh—Shigure-san!" Shizuka bowed deeply. "I don't mind sleeping on the couch."

"I don't want to feel like a heel," he said with a laugh. He pulled Shizuka up and found himself staring down into her face. He was never this close to a girl, except for Tohru and she didn't count since she was with Yuki.

On a whim, he wrapped his arms tightly around her slender body. Shizuka gave a little gasp and stiffened. Shigure just held her, staring down at the floor. He had never held a girl before, not like this. His cousins didn't count.

"Shi…gu…re…san?" Shizuka squeaked out.

Shigure let go and gave her a smile. "Sorry, Shizuka-san!" He said, putting his hands on his hips. "I just couldn't help myself!"

"That's because you're a pervert."

They turned and saw Hatori standing in the doorway, holding a bag out. Shizuka bowed and took it. "I knew I forgot something…"

Hatori turned his gaze to Shigure and gave him a look. "You must excuse my cousin," he said, still staring at Shigure. "He's a bit of a dolt."

"It's true!" Shigure said with a laugh.

"If he does anything to make you uncomfortable, just hit him." Hatori looked back at Shizuka. His face was completely unreadable, even to Shigure who usually could tell what his serious cousin was thinking. "If you have any problems here, Shizuka-san, call me." He handed her a piece of paper with his number written down.

Shigure giggled. "Giving your number out to girls now, Ha'ri-sama?"

"Don't call me that," Hatori warned. "I just want to make sure Shizuka-san is comfortable here. If you need anything, feel free to call me."

Shizuka bowed. "Thank you, Sohma-san. I appreciate all your family is doing for me."

Hatori frowned slightly. "I wouldn't," he whispered and turned to leave. He ran smack into someone who had been hidden behind him all this time.

"HA'RI-SAMA!" Ayame giggled out. "I saw everything! I agree with Shii! Giving your phone num—"

Hatori shoved him roughly aside. "What are you doing here, Ayame?"

Ayame bounced over to Shigure. "I was at the house and heard about this young lady! I knew I had to meet her!" He turned to Shizuka and without warning, hugged her. Shizuka gave a surprised squeak.

"Ayame, don't bother her," Hatori said darkly. "You're scaring her."

"Mm, it's true!" Ayame said, his arms still around her. "This could come in handy!"

"Aayaaaaaa!" Shigure whined. "Ha'ri is right, you're scaring her. Stop it."

Ayame let go, his eyes glittering. "You know, Shii, I really should visit more often."

Shizuka took a nervous step away from Ayame, eyes darting between him and Shigure. Shigure flicked some bangs away from his face. "Aaya," he said huffily. "I'd feel hurt if you were visiting just to get to know Shizuka-san and not me. You mustn't come unless you're really visiting to see me!"

"And Yuki!" Ayame said, spreading his slender arms out. "I really should come visit my baby brother more often. How else will I get to know him and repair the damaged bridge of love I ruined so many years ago?"

"Stop being so melodramatic," Hatori said.

"I'm the writer, not you." Shigure folded his arms and mentally put away the phrase in his head. "Now promise me you'll leave poor Shizuka-san alone."

Ayame folded his own arms and pouted. "Fine, I promise. But I will visit more often. I do so miss my Shii-sama!"

"And I miss my Aaya-sama!" The two clutched hands, bouncing up and down happily.

Hatori sighed and turned to Shizuka. "Please call me if—if… well, just call me."

Shizuka bowed. "Thank you, Sohma-san."

Hatori left, shutting the door a bit loudly as he did so. As he walked down the path, he saw the three others coming towards him. Yuki was the first one to notice and a look passed over his face.

"It's not time for my checkup, is it?" He asked.

Tohru and Kyo looked over and stopped walking. Hatori continued, getting closer to them. "No," he said. "You have another guest." He stopped directly beside him. "A young girl."

"What?" Kyo snarled out. "Why?"

Hatori's eyes narrowed. "If you want to know the reason, discuss it with Akito and not me. He's the only one who knows why he does what he does."

"Aki…to?" Yuki asked, voice wavering.

Hatori stuffed his hands in his pockets. "And you don't have to worry about running into her. We don't turn if we hug."

"But… how?" Yuki asked.

Hatori shrugged. "I can't tell you and it's not important anyway. She's going to be Shigure's assistant." He turned and started walking again. After a few steps he paused and looked over his shoulder. "And Yuki?"

"Yes?"

"Ayame's at the house." Hatori glanced down the path and continued on. "Just thought I'd warn you."

Author's Note:

I don't own any of the Fruits Basket characters or places. Shizuka, I do own. She's based on a RPG character I made and I thought it'd be fun to put her in this alternate FB world.