Here's chapter two! There will probably be one more chapter, and I'll try to make each as long as the first one was. We'll have to see!
POOF! The silence of the house was disturbed at around two in the morning or so, waking everyone but Tohru, who, despite being right next to the source of the noise, was still out cold. Kyo still hadn't come back.
Yuki and Shigure got up and walked to Tohru's room. Knocking, they entered to see Hana standing triumphantly over Uo, who had indeed transformed, and was frozen in shock.
"So we were right about that, at least. Like we said, don't hug anyone. Well, I'm going back to sleep. You two should, as well," Shigure said, turning to leave.
"I already told you," Hana said, going over and sitting on the bed. "I don't sleep."
Shigure and Yuki made a run for their rooms, and soon the house was once again –almost- taken over by sleep.
(Earlier that night, in Ayame's shop)
"I don't want to design a stupid dress, okay!?" Kyo said, leaning against a wall stubbornly. Ayame thought for a moment.
"But I just don't think that pants and a top are Tohru's style, Kyo," Ayame said.
"YOU KNOW THAT'S NOT WHAT I MEANT!" Kyo screamed, vein pulsing.
"I told you earlier, Kyo, you're not leaving without a design made," Ayame said. "And you still haven't told me colors!"
"Pick your own stupid colors!" Kyo said tiredly, collapsing on a couch. Ayame frowned. Suddenly, an idea clicked in his head.
"Wait right here, Kyo, I'll only be gone for a few!" Ayame said, darting out the door and locking behind him again.
"Wait!" Kyo said, but it was too late. A few what!?
Several hours later…
"Kyo! I'm ba-ack!" Ayame sang, holding a small bag in his hand. Kyo, who had been taking a cat-nap on the couch, started at the sound of his voice.
"Great, you're back. Now LET ME OUT!" Kyo said angrily. He noticed a clock. "And back in a few? A few hours, maybe!"
"Well, it took me a long time to find a store that had what I was looking for that was still open!" Ayame said defensively. "Anyway, I'm going to go make some tea!" With that, he disappeared into the back room, clutching the bag. Kyo sighed. Would this torture never end!?
Ayame chuckled evilly, taking his secret weapon out of his bag. He'd originally thought to get Kyo drunk, but as it was illegal, he decided against that particular plan of action. But then he remembered… Kyo's a cat!
Putting water on the stove to boil, Ayame took out a teabag full of catnip for Kyo and some Japanese tea leaves for himself. Within minutes, the tea was done, so he carried it out to the bored and annoyed Kyo.
"Here, drink this," Ayame said cheerfully, shoving the tea at Kyo. He looked at it skeptically.
"What's this?" Kyo asked, holding it away from himself suspiciously.
"It's tea, Kyo, honestly. I would've thought you'd know what tea looked like!" Ayame said in mock distress. Kyo sighed, shook his head, and sipped the tea. A visible jolt went through him, and his pupils dilated. He looked at his tea, and a sloppy grin appeared on his face.
"That's pretty good. I like the smell more than the taste, though. I'm jus' gonna sniff it," Kyo said drunkenly, leaning back. Ayame grinned. It's working! And a lot faster than expected!
"So about the color of Tohru's dress, I was thinking, blue maybe?" Ayame asked innocently, knowing Kyo hated blue.
"Don't you dare put her in rat boy's color, man! She should be in orange- and pink," Kyo said, inhaling the tea deeply. Victory is mine! Ayame thought walking over to the rack of fabrics.
"These two? Ayame asked, pulling out two rolls. Kyo shook his head shakily, still breathing in his tea like a drug.
"The orange is good, but I think that that pink needs to be darker, you know?" Kyo said, making vague gestures with his hand. I scare even myself sometimes. And I can honestly say I never expected Kyo to act like this, high on catnip or not!
"So, like this?" Ayame asked, pulling out a different shade of pink.
"Two thumbs up!" Kyo said, grinning again. He attempted to act out his expression, and as a result, his tea sloshed out of the cup all over his leg and the couch.
"Whoops!"
The next morning, after another cup of catnip tea and some coffee to keep Ayame awake.
"I think it's done, Kyo, what do you think!?" Ayame asked, holding up his completed sketch. Kyo looked at it through squinted eyes.
"What if we made the skirt poofier and covered the orange stuff with pinkish see-through kinda stuff?" Kyo asked, his eyes still dilated, if not even more so. "'Cause it kinda ties it together more, y'know?" he asked.
"I like your thinking, Kyo! And what if we puffed the sleeves, just a bit?" Ayame suggested. Kyo nodded enthusiastically.
"Now it can be done!? Can I take some of this home with me?" he asked, looking at the tea. Ayame shrugged.
"I'll probably never need it again, so sure, take it! I'll finish the dress by Monday, I think, so have a date planned for afterschool on Tuesday, okay?" Ayame said, pushing Kyo out the door with the box of catnip teabags.
"Mm-kay, Ayame! Heh, that rhymed!" he said, chuckling to himself. Kyo is going to be sooo mad at me when this wears off…
"Oookay, Kyo. Let's get you back to Shigure's. My work is done!" Ayame said, and shoved Kyo into the back seat of the car. By the time they got to Shigure's, Kyo had passed out in the back of the car. Ayame left him there and went in to find Shigure to help him carry Kyo inside.
"Shigure! I brought back my captive!" Ayame cried. Shigure came darting out of the kitchen.
"Ayame! You survived the night! I'm impressed! Where's Kyo?" Shigure asked. Yuki walked up behind him.
"I hadn't even noticed he was gone. And why is he here?" Yuki asked, his eyes narrowing at his older brother.
"Yuki! It's so good to see you! I came because, deep in my bosom, I had the intense desire to come and visit my dear younger brother. Well, actually I came to bring Kyo back! I was the one to kidnap him, you see! I needed his help designing a dress for Tohru on their first date!" Ayame said excitedly.
"Wait… they're actually dating!?" Yuki asked, surprised.
"Well… I did tell him to plan on it, but honestly, he might not remember any of last night anyway, so one of you should probably remind him when he wakes up, okay?" Ayame said with a wide smile.
"What did you do to him that he won't remember?" Shigure asked suspiciously. "Aya, you didn't hurt him did you?"
"Well, Kyo wasn't cooperating, I had to do something! So… I thought… and then I got him drunk!" Ayame declared. "Isn't it brilliant!?"
"You did WHAT!?" Yuki asked, face-palming. "That's illegal, you idiot!"
"Well I didn't use alcohol, so technically I did nothing wrong! And even if I had used an alchoholic beverage, love conquers all, even laws, so all my actions would have been completely justified!" Ayame said defensively.
"Just out of interest, how did you get him drunk and what happened to his personality?" Shigure asked, quickly pulling out a notebook and pencil and getting a mischievous glint in his eye.
"Catnip! Brilliant, isn't it!? I made it in some tea and he really did seem drunk! He was completely different! I don't even know where to begin!" Ayame said cheerfully. Shigure began laughing heartily.
"I even brought it here, so feel free to see for yourself! Slip it into his food or something! It's quite entertaining! But anyway, come help me carry him in, okay?" Ayame said, and dragged Shigure out to his car.
Catnip? Yuki mouthed, smirking and shaking his head. Interesting… he went back into the kitchen, where the three girls were sitting around the table. Uo hadn't said a word all morning, still in shock from last night. Tohru kept insisting that she felt better, so she was on a trial run.
"Yuki! Did I hear Ayame just now?" Tohru asked from the stove, where she was preparing breakfast.
"Yeah, that was him. He brought the stupid cat back. Apparently Ayame kidnapped him last night for something…" Yuki said, deciding not to give away what they'd been doing.
"I was wondering where he'd went!" Tohru said.
"Who is this Ayame?" Hana asked. Her question was answered by Ayame bursting into the room with Yuki in tow, Shigure following quietly, Kyo dumped safely onto the couch in the other room.
"Oh, and who are these beautiful young ladies!? Friends of Tohru's, I presume?" Ayame asked, bending over to get a better look at them. Uo spoke for the first time that day.
"He looks like an older version of Yuki!" she exclaimed.
"That's because they're siblings, Uo," Hana said monotonously. Ayame looked at her.
"How did you know? Do we give off that brotherly love vibe? We do, don't we!?" Ayame asked cheerfully, swinging his arm around Yuki's shoulders before getting thrown off.
"No, I read electrical waves. Your two were close enough that you were either father and son or brothers, and you don't look old enough to be his father," Hana said.
"Ayame, this is Uo and Hana. And you're right, they are friends of Tohru's. Uo here got cursed, too!" Shigure said. Ayame was shocked.
"Cursed!? When did that happen!?" Ayame asked.
"Oh that's right, no one told you! Well, Torhu got possessed by the tiger, and Uo here got the sheep," Shigure said. For once, Ayame was stunned out of speech.
"And I finally know why the Sohma's waves are different," Hana said. "So you are also cursed, I take it?" Ayame nodded enthusiastically.
"I, dear girl, am the snake! Yuki and I are the only direct relatives who both got cursed, isn't it tragic? But that is a fact that draws us closer as brothers, and we a nearly inseparable!" Ayame declared. Yuki scoffed.
"In your dreams," he muttered. Tohru walked over with breakfast.
"Good thing I made sure to make extra, if Ayame is going to be eating with us!" Tohru said happily.
"He's not staying," Yuki said forcefully. Ayame started to argue, but Yuki cut him off. "Do you really want to be here when Kyo wakes up?" Ayame paled slightly.
"Well, I suppose I'd best be off. Besides, I have a dress I have to make!" Ayame said, and bolted for the door.
"Bye, Ayame! I'll miss you!" Shigure said, shooting Ayame a thumbs up as he went out the door.
"Don't forget about me while I'm away!" Ayame said, returning the thumbs up and hopping into his car.
Several minutes after Ayame left and everyone sat down to a quiet breakfast, a tired and cranky-looking Kyo walked in, holding his head.
"What the heck happened last night and why do I have such an awful headache? The last thing I remember is Ayame bolting out the door of his shop to go buy some random crap from the store," Kyo said.
"Really? Well, you're back now, that's what matters!" Shigure said, trying to change the subject before Tohru could ask why he'd been at Ayame's shop.
After everyone had finished eating, Uo and Hana went to school.
"Don't forget not to hug anyone, Uo! Hana, keep an eye on her!" Shigure said, waving with a handkerchief as they walked off. Tohru came down in her uniform, but Kyo grabbed her by the arm.
"I told you, you're not going back to school until next week, sick or not," Kyo said, shaking his head. Tohru sighed.
"Well, I have a meeting with my editor and am spontaneously deciding to be nice for once and not skip! Oh, and I'll probably have to go visit Akito. There have been some recent changes I think our dear family head might want to know about!" Shigure said, hurrying into his room, coming out seconds later in a suit, and bolting out the door. Yuki sat at the table in an awkward silence between Kyo and Tohru, and the air was becoming heavier by the second.
"I'm going to go out back," Yuki said, quickly, and disappeared to go do some major gardening, possibly until he knew with certainty that Shigure was back. Kyo narrowed his eyes suspiciously at the door Yuki had left through, then winced and groaned, putting a hand to his aching head. Tohru stood up quickly.
"Oh, Kyo, your headache! Can I get you anything!? I wouldn't want you to spend all day in pain, and maybe the headache is the beginning of something worse, and it's always better to treat things like this early!" Tohru exclaimed. Kyo rolled his eyes.
"Don't be stupid, it's just a headache, Tohru. Well, and memory loss," Kyo said thoughtfully.
"You said something about being at Ayame's?" Tohru asked. Kyo stiffened, realizing that he'd rather she wasn't asking questions about that.
"Uh… yeah. He took me to his shop last night after a stupid text from Shigure, but I really can't remember what happened…" Kyo said vaguely.
"Oh. Well maybe you can ask Ayame or Shigure later," Tohru said. Kyo shrugged.
"So… um…" Kyo said awkwardly. He couldn't help remembering the last time they were alone together. Tohru seemed to remember too, because she didn't try to break the awkward silence, and was turning scarlet, staring resolutely at the floor.
He probably hates me now! Oh, mom, I'm such an idiot! I can't believe I kissed him! I've ruined our friendship, I don't know what to do! But he was just so close, and he was being sweet, and…
"About yesterday…" Kyo continued slowly, trying to think of what to say. Should he tell her how he felt, or was it too soon for that? Should he make a joke of it, or would that just make it even more awkward? Tohru cut him off.
"I'm so sorry!" she squeaked, hiding her face in her hands. Kyo looked at her like she was crazy.
"What are you sorry about?" Kyo asked incredulously. Tohru looked through her fingers at him.
"It's all my fault, and now things are so awkward. I'm sorry, I'm sorry, okay? Let's just forget about it and move on, okay? Forgive me?" Tohru cried.
"Why in the world would I want to forget?" Kyo asked, reddening and scratching the back of his head. Tohru looked up at him.
"Huh?" she asked.
"It was… nice," Kyo said, not looking her in the eye. Tohru couldn't think of anything to say to that. She wasn't even completely sure what he was implying. That he was glad it happened? Or was he simply trying not to hurt her feelings? Should she confess hers?
"Uh… roof," Kyo said quickly, and dashed up the stairs. Tohru sat there for a moment before going off to do laundry and try to distract herself.
Unfortunately, Tohru completely forgot, in all the tension, that she was sick, and overdid herself just a little bit a lot.
POOF!
Suddenly finding herself much smaller and a great deal furrier, Tohru sighed. A small tiger couldn't exactly do much in the way of household chores, and there was no telling how long it would take her to change back, especially because she was still sick. It could be hours for all she knew, based on her observations of the three Sohma men during illnesses.
She didn't know what else to do, so she thought that the best thing to do might be to go to bed and try to sleep a little. Rest was always a good way to heal faster, and she wouldn't be going anywhere until she was sure she wouldn't transform. She struggled to get up the stairs, finding that the experience was much different on four legs than on two. She was determined, though, and eventually made it to the top. Unfortunately, she realized, the door to her room was closed.
She was too tired to try and struggle her way back downstairs, but she couldn't go to bed, because she was too short to reach the doorknob, and even if she could she didn't have opposable thumbs. She walked down the hall and noticed that Kyo's room was open. He must have left the door open when he went through to the balcony to go onto the roof, Tohru thought. Sure enough, the door onto the balcony was also open. She padded her way out.
"Kyo?" she called. Up on the roof, Kyo heard her and walked over to the area above the balcony.
"Yeah?" he asked before he got to the edge. He jumped down onto the balcony and saw her transformed state. "What happened!?"
"I pushed myself a bit too hard doing laundry, I guess. Um… could you open my bedroom door for me? I was going to lay down, but I can't get in," Tohru asked. Kyo smiled down at her.
"No worries, I have that same problem when a rainstorm makes me transform," Kyo replied, and picked Tohru up, carrying her to her room and setting her on the bed.
"Anything else?" Kyo asked, glad that at least some of the awkwardness was gone.
"Oh, no, I couldn't possibly ask you to help any more than you already have, it'd be too much!" Tohru started freaking out.
"Okay, Tohru, chill! Get some rest, okay?" Kyo asked. Tohru nodded and curled up on top of the blankets like the feline she was. Kyo left the room and closed the door behind him, then went out to train, since he couldn't think of anything else to pass the time with.
Meanwhile, Shigure, the liar that he was, had not, as he'd said, gone to a meeting with his editor. Not that he was being mean, for once, he just didn't have one. Instead, he'd gone over to Ayame's shop to see the sketch for the dress and to make fun of Kyo.
"Kyo seriously helped design this!?" Shigure asked, laughing hysterically. Ayame nodded gleefully.
"Most of the details were his idea, too! He would make a very good designer!" Ayame laughed. Shigure wheezed.
"Yeah, I can see it now…" he chuckled evilly, imagining Kyo with his hair slicked back, fabric scissors in one hand and a tape measure in the other. "It's not happening." Shigure giggled at his absurd mental image.
"No, I suppose not," Ayame grinned. "But the dress will go to waste unless you remind him to ask her out on Tuesday!"
"Wouldn't it be easier to give him catnip and see if he'll ask her out then?" Shigure whined.
"He'd just forget he'd asked her, though," Ayame reminded him.
"Not if we just used enough to make him tipsy!" Shigure replied mischievously.
"You may be on to something, Shigure!" Ayame praised. "It certainly can't hurt to try!"
"Besides, even if it doesn't work, based on what you've told me, it's sure to be amusing!" Shigure cackled.
"Indeed, you're right! Won't you catch it on video for my so I may partake in the hilarity as well, Shigure?" Ayame requested.
"Sure, Aya. I would've got it on video anyway," Shigure assured him. "Well, I've got one more place to stop off before I head home, so I'd better get going. Good luck getting the dress done, Aya!"
"Goodbye, Shigure! I will miss you terribly!" Ayame said, flower petals drifting behind him out of nowhere, bathed in pink light. Shigure, with a similar background, replied.
"Our time apart will be short, Aya. I'll hurry back to you," Shigure replied.
"Yes!" they both exclaimed, giving a thumbs up. Shigure left and began making his way to the main house while Ayame went back to work creating his masterpiece.
"Akito, Shigure has come to visit you," one of the servants announced, knocking on the door to Akito's room.
"Send him in," Akito ordered. Seconds later, Shigure walked in.
"I suppose you've come to tell me who the new tiger and ram are?" Akito asked coldly. "I can feel it. Their spirits haven't left me."
"I'm surprised you can tell. I didn't know you could sense the zodiac spirits" Shigure replied calmly.
"Don't avoid the question, Shigure. Who are they" Akito demanded.
"You won't like it," Shigure warned. Akito's eyes flared.
"Why not? They are my zodiac, I love you all. You of all people know that, Shigure," Akito said viciously.
"Funny. It was my impression that you hated them with a passion," Shigure said. "It's Tohru and one of her friends."
"WHAT!?" Akito screamed. He slapped Shigure viciously. "That witch has taken the tiger's spirit!? This is unacceptable!"
"Also," Shigure added calmly, ignoring the stinging sensation on the side of his face. "Their other friend, Saki Hanajimi, has found out as well."
"That is unacceptable. Her memories must be erased at once. And bring the newest members to greet me. I must give them a proper welcome," Akito spat.
"Now, Akito, are you sure that's wise? Hanajimi has some psychic abilities. She may be the key to the curse's undoing. And think of it like this. If Tohru is part of the zodiac with us, she can't go against your orders any more than we can. She won't be able to take us from you," Shigure said, trying to calm Akito down. Thankfully, it worked.
"Perhaps you are correct. On both counts. I will not harm the girls. However, I still request their presence tomorrow. Including this Saki Hanajimi you speak of. I wish to meet this psychic you claim could break the curse," Akito said.
"Of course," Shigure said, bowing. "Goodbye Akito. Goodbye, Kureno." He bowed to the silhouette in the corner of the room, who nodded back. Shigure left the room. As soon as he was outside the main gates, he sighed in relief. That had gone far better than he had hoped.
He went straight home, and found Yuki waiting for him right outside the front door.
"Why are you outside?" Shigure asked. Yuki snorted.
"Because any time those two are alone it gets awkward," Yuki said. "I saw no reason to feel uncomfortable all day while you were gone."
"Yuki, how could you!? What if Kyo does something… indecent to our precious flower, Tohru!?"
"Ha! Like he would. He may be an idiot, but thankfully he's not you," Yuki replied. Shigure stuck out his tongue. "Well, let's go inside, I guess."
"I'm home!" Shigure called, walking in the door. Kyo poked his head around the corner out of the living room he'd only just recently returned to after practicing.
"Quiet down, will ya!? Tohru's asleep!" Kyo hissed.
"My, my, rather protective, aren't we, Kyo?
"Shut up, dog," Kyo growled. "She's sick, of course I'm worried."
"I'll go see if she needs anything," Yuki suggested, and was about to go upstairs, but Kyo grabbed his arm.
"I wouldn't do that if I were you. Just in case," Kyo said.
"Get off me, stupid cat. Why not?" Yuki asked. Kyo blushed a little.
"She transformed, and she curled up like a cat on top of the blankets. For all we know, she's turned back in her sleep," Kyo replied. Yuki's eyes widened.
"Oh," he replied.
"In that case, I'll go help her instead!" Shigure said cheerfully. After being beaten to a bloody pulp and prying himself off the floorboards, he said, "I went to see Akito."
"What did he say?" Yuki asked.
"He wants to see the three of them tomorrow," Shigure replied.
"All three of them? Saki too?" Yuki asked. Shigure nodded.
"He seems to be interested in her psychic abilities as a possible way to release the curse," Shigure replied.
"You think that's possible?" Kyo asked. "The freak, really?"
"You never know, Kyo! Anyway, we shouldn't get our hopes up! Anyway, Kyo, you should make us some dinner!"
"Why do I gotta do it!?" Kyo asked hotly.
"Well, Tohru's sick, you certainly can't expect her to do it! And Yuki would burn anything he tried. As for me, do you really want the one who puts pickles in curry to be making food?"
"You're an idiot," Kyo said hotly. "Fine, I'll make the stupid food. Geez."
Half an hour later, Kyo had finished making a simple dinner, and set it out just as simply.
"As always, your presentation is lacking," Yuki said with a sigh, taking a bite.
"Shut up, ratboy. At least I can cook at all!" Kyo snapped. "I'm going to go take some up to Tohru." Shigure and Yuki looked up at him. He rolled his eyes.
"I'm going to knock first, you idiots!" Kyo yelled, and picked up the bowl he'd made for Tohru, stomping off upstairs. Shigure grinned evilly.
"Quick, Yuki, go find the camera and set it on video. I'm going to go get the catnip!" Shigure said conspiratorially. Yuki raised an eyebrow.
"Now?" Yuki asked. Shigure nodded and ran to get some. Yuki sighed, found the camera, and set it to video, waiting to start it until something interesting happened. When he got back into the room, Shigure had cut open one of the teabags and sprinkled about a third of it onto Kyo's dinner. Kyo walked downstairs, Tohru's bowl in one hand, and Tohru in the other.
"She still hasn't changed back," Kyo said unnecessarily.
"Obviously. Why'd you bring her down?" Yuki asked.
"She wanted to come down," Kyo replied with a shrug. "I wasn't going to make her fight her way downstairs in this state."
"It was getting boring up there all on my own!" Tohru explained cheerily. "So I thought I'd come down and talk to you guys!"
"What if you change back?" Yuki asked.
"I'll go get her a blanket," Kyo said, and came back seconds later with something Tohru could use to cover herself should she change back.
"Anyway, let's eat!" Shigure said. Yuki got ready to turn the camera on.
POOF!
"Oh! That was fast! I'll go get dressed," Tohru said, blushing a little and wrapping the blanket around herself.
Less than a minute later, she was back downstairs, and they all dug in. It took Kyo exactly two bites to freeze. Yuki pulled out the camera. Kyo's eyes dilated. Suddenly, he broke out a sloppy grin.
"This stuff's pretty good, huh?" Kyo asked. He put his spoon down and started sniffing it.
"Um… Kyo? Are you okay?" Tohru asked. Shigure smirked.
"Oh, he's just fine. I may have slipped some catnip into his food, though," Shigure said.
"So it affects him like it would a normal cat?" Tohru asked. Shigure nodded.
"I'm excited to see what happens!" Shigure cackled.
"Shigure, you shouldn't do that! It's not very nice to trick people! Kyo, get away from… that," Tohru said, grabbing Kyo's bowl away from him. He pouted at her, but she didn't notice, because her attention was focused on the bowl in her hands. Yuki's eyes widened.
"Shigure?"
"Hmm? What is it, Yuki?"
"There's a big flaw in your plan I just noticed. Miss Honda's a cat, too!" Yuki reminded his cousin. Shigure looked taken aback for a second, then glanced hurriedly at Tohru, who was sniffing at the food delicately, her pupils dilating. Kyo tugged the bowl back towards him so he could smell it too.
"Well this could potentially be even better!" Shigure said. "Keep the video rolling!"
"Your nose looks all funny when you sniff," Tohru giggled at Kyo. He grinned.
"I like your eyes that color. It goes well with your hair," Kyo informed her. She blushed.
"And it's cute when you blush," Kyo added, tweaking Tohru's nose.
"At first I thought this would be funny, but seeing the two of them without any of their emotions restrained is kind of making me sick," Yuki commented.
"Quiet, Yuki! This is comedy gold! Kyo will be so mad after this!" Shigure shushed his younger cousin. Yuki rolled his eyes but kept filming.
"I'm not really sorry about yesterday," Tohru whispered conspiratorially.
"Neither am I," he whispered back.
"That's it, Shigure, you take the camera. I'm not sticking around for this. When Kyo snaps out of it and tries to do the same to our neck, don't blame me," Yuki said, handing Shigure the camera. He made a hasty retreat up to his room.
"This is good!" he heard Tohru say. He turned back to see Kyo feeding Tohru from his bowl, and had to try very hard not to burst out laughing and distract them.
"You got some on your face," Kyo informed her. He was about to swipe it off, then thought better of it and licked it off her cheek. Shigure choked. Tohru giggled.
Priceless! Shigure thought.
"How do you know I wasn't saving it for later?" Tohru asked.
"I'd be more than happy to give it back to you," Kyo said, and started leaning in. Shigure's eyes widened in anticipation. He grinned wickedly as the two teens kissed.
"Kyo, ask her out!" Shigure prompted, not forgetting his duty to Ayame.
"Want to go somewhere on Tuesday? Just you and me?" Kyo whispered in Tohru's ear. Tohru nuzzled his cheek.
"That sounds wonderful!" she said, brimming with happiness. Shigure smirked. Now he just had to hope that they both remembered what they'd decided on when the catnip wore off.
"Okay, you two. Since we're all done eating, I'll just take the dishes and put them in the sink, okay?" Shigure said. Kyo actually started pouting.
"But this stuff is so good!" he protested, drawing the bowl closer. Shigure grabbed it from him.
"That's enough for today," Shigure insisted. "Besides, I'm sure Yuki would like to be able to enter his own dining room soon." Shigure turned the camera off. "We can have this again some other time!" he promised.
Kyo stuck out his lip like a disappointed toddler, but was soon distracted by Tohru nuzzling him again.
"Now look who's purring," he whispered. Tohru ignored him. Suddenly, without any warning at all on his part, he shot straight up, his pupils suddenly contracting back to normal size.
"SHIGURE, I'M GOING TO KILL YOU!" Kyo screamed. Tohru frowned, stood up behind him, and started nuzzling him again.
"Ah, so you're back to reality now, stupid cat?" Yuki asked, walking in. He frowned at Tohru. "Miss Honda, I take it, is not."
"Ah, Kyo, it wore off! Do you remember?" Shigure asked quickly, poking his head back through the door from the kitchen. Kyo's eyes were burning, and he ignored the question, choosing instead to pummel the dog into the floor.
"Of course he remembers. Why else would he be mad at you?" Yuki pointed out.
"At least his date's been planned," Shigure moaned weakly when Kyo left him face-down on the floor. Tohru, still in her catnip-induced state, latched herself onto Kyo's arm.
"No more leaving me," Tohru instructed, rubbing her face against his upper arm. Kyo froze and stared down at her, eyes wide and mouth hanging open.
"What the heck!?" Kyo whisper-yelled at Yuki.
"Tigers are affected by catnip, too, Kyo. A fact Shigure evidently forgot. It should wear off soon. In the meantime, I suggest you enjoy it. Also, I suggest you start planning for Tuesday. You should make it special for her," Yuki said, walking out of the room.
Kyo had only vaguely remembered what had happened, but Yuki's comment snapped his memories of the last few minutes back into place. His eyes widened. Tohru was going to think he was a freak! For once, though, the rat was right. He was definitely enjoying this. At least, for the few seconds before Tohru snapped out of it and hurriedly let go of his arm.
"Oh my gosh Kyo I'm so sorry!" Tohru screamed, burying her face in her hands. Kyo's face turned bright red.
"It's not really your fault," Kyo told her. "Besides, I wasn't exactly acting any differently."
Tohru's eyes widened as she remembered what had happened, and she put a hand up to her cheek, turning tomato red.
"Um… this may be a weird question, but did you mean it?" Tohru asked quietly. Kyo stopped blushing and looked at her.
"Mean what?" Kyo asked, eyes narrowing.
"Uh, that you, you know, weren't, um, sorry about, uh, yesterday," Tohru stuttered, wringing her hands together and turning even redder. Kyo's heart was beating fast.
"Oh, that. I… yeah. I meant it," Kyo said, not looking her in the eye. "You?"
"Yeah," Tohru said breathlessly.
"So…" Kyo asked nervously. "Are we still on for Tuesday?" Tohru beamed at him.
"Definitely!" she exclaimed, and hugged him tight as she could. Someone started clapping. Kyo turned around to see Shigure brimming with fake tears, having pushed himself into a sitting position to watch the show.
"Young love! It's so beautiful!" Shigure wailed. Kyo felt like crawling into a hole.
"Shut up!" he snapped, and grabbed Tohru's hand. "Come on, Tohru, you need to get back to bed. I can't take you anywhere unless you're feeling better."
"Y-yes!" Tohru said with a smile, and followed behind him. Yuki walked past them into the room. He looked between Shigure and the two retreating teens.
"So what exactly happened?" Yuki asked.
"Basically, they passionately admitted they loved each other and are dashing off to spend the night together!" Shigure exclaimed.
"Don't be an idiot, Shigure. What actually happened?"
"They admitted they weren't sorry for kissing and decided they were still on for Tuesday," Shigure amended with a sigh.
"So now they're dating," Yuki summed up. Shigure grinned at him.
"Jealous?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Like I said, don't be an idiot. Tohru is like a mom to me, or an older sister. Besides, if anyone can change that stupid cat it's her," Yuki said with a shrug. "I'm going to bed."
It didn't take long for the house to fall to silence.
The next day, a Saturday, started off bright and early for everyone except Yuki, who was taking the chance to sleep in, quite possibly for most of the day.
"Tohru, could you come here a moment?" Shigure called sometime between breakfast and lunch. Tohru stopped folding laundry and went into Shigure's study.
"Do you need something?" Tohru asked.
"Oh no, nothing like that. I was merely wondering if you'd be up for a visit to the main house today. Akito said he wanted to see you and your friends. I've been assured that he means you no harm," Shigure said. Tohru's eyes widened.
"Oh, o-of course!" Tohru replied.
"Would you like me to come with you?" Shigure asked. Tohru looked sheepish.
"If you wouldn't mind," Tohru said with a small smile.
"Not at all, Tohru!" Shigure said. "When school gets out for Uo and Hana we'll call them, okay?"
"Okay."
The rest of the morning and a good chunk of the afternoon passed normally, although Kyo and Tohru's attitudes towards each other were slightly more relaxed and less awkward now that they knew that the feelings were mutual.
"Tohru? We should probably get going soon. We should call them over," Shigure suggested, glancing at the clock.
"Get going where?" Kyo asked.
"Akito wants to see her," Shigure said quietly.
"What!? Now way! She's not going anywhere!" Kyo yelled.
"Kyo, it's fine," Tohru said, putting a hand on his arm. "I'll be okay. Uo and Hana will be with me." Kyo's tension dies down just a little bit at that. He still didn't like it, but he knew Tohru's friends wouldn't let anything happen to her.
"I don't like it," Kyo mumbled, crossing his arms.
"Akito's word is law, Kyo. There isn't much you can do about it," Shigure said.
"Yeah, yeah. Just… come back safe, okay, Tohru?" Kyo asked. Tohru nodded, smiling.
"I'll go call them!" Tohru said, running off. Shigure pulled out his phone.
"And I'll call Hatori to drive us!" Shigure announced, and punched in the doctor's number before Kyo could notice that he still hadn't changed his wallpaper.
"Tori? Akito has summoned Tohru and her friends. I don't suppose you could drive us?" Shigure asked. A pause, then, "Thanks, Hatori."
"They said they're on their way!" Tohru said cheerily, walking back into the room. "They should be here in about ten minutes or so."
"Alright. I called Hatori to come pick us up, and he'll be here in about fifteen minutes, so everything should work out just fine. I'm sure we won't be at the main house any longer than two hours, so we should be home in time for you to make dinner."
"Great!" Tohru exclaimed. She hurried into her room and changed into something slightly more formal. She didn't want to offend Akito on accident! By the time she'd finished changing, Uo and Hana had arrived.
"Tohru! There you are? What's going on? Shigure won't tell us anything without being vague or perverted!" Uo complained.
"I'll explain in a minute. How were things at school? Did you have any… you know… problems?" Tohru asked. Uo sighed.
"Yeah right! Like any boy would come anywhere near me, let alone close enough for that!" Uo said, rolling her eyes.
"I think she's rather disappointed," Hana noted. Tohru sweatdropped.
"Anyway, the head of the Sohma family, Akito, wanted to see us, since Uo and I are a part of the curse now. And he wanted to meet Hana because she found out!" Tohru explained with a nervous smile.
"I guess that makes sense. Any idea how long it'll take?" Uo asked. Tohru shook her head.
"I'm sorry, I really don't know. But, if it's too late, it'd be just fine for you to stay here!" Tohru offered.
"Ah! I hear our cabbie pulling up!" Shigure exclaimed. "We'll be back later Kyo, Yuki!" he called over his shoulder, and they walked out the door together.
"I'm not a cabbie, Shigure," Hatori informed him, standing just outside his car with his hand still on the door. "I'm a doctor."
"Yes, yes, whatever. Let's go!" Shigure exclaimed, and hopped into the passenger seat, leaving the three girls to squeeze into the back seat. Fifteen minutes of mostly silent driving passed, and they were pulling up to the rather imposing from gates.
Nervously, the three girls followed Shigure through the Sohma estate towards Akito's dwelling. Shigure knocked, and the door was opened by one of the servants.
"Ah, the master has been expecting you. Come in," she said, bowing them inside. The three girls walked into the house towards Akito and everything he had in store for them.
Sorry about the cliffy! I'm proud of myself, though. I thought it was a pretty good update. The next chapter, I don't know how long it'll be, but it will be the final chapter.