Shigure stood on the porch, a cigar pressed to his lips. His dark eyes focused on the horizon as he released a puff of smoke through his nostrils. Usually, what people said to him didn't really matter...but what the maid said really irked him for some reason. He could tell because he felt a little sick to his stomach... He thought he had been right in blaming it on Akito...but he was a messed-up bastard. Maybe he was worse than her. Maybe the maid Setsuko was right.

"Shigure..." came a voice from behind him. When the novelist turned, he saw his wife, in a long-sleeved pink dress, and matching fingernails. Her eyes looked...bigger; she had eyeliner, and probably mascara, too. Her lips were red and defined, and her hair was curled.

He had never seen his wife take care of herself like that, and so it came as a shock; but he only looked at her, before turning to the distance.

Akito was taken aback. "Don't look at me with those eyes..."

"What eyes?" Shigure asked, but it was more of a statement. He puffed on the cigarette, not looking at her. "Wipe off that make-up...you look rediculous."

Akito was about to lash out at him, but she bit her lip, her eyes welling up with tears before she turned around and ran inside the house.

"Akito..." Shigure said after a moment, looking down at his feet, though he kept his back to the spot where his wife had stood. "I only meant...you look beautiful without it."

After a sigh, he retreated into the house after her, but stopped after a moment, the phone hanging on the wall catching his eye. Approaching it, he took it in his hands and dialed a few numbers. A sweet voice on the other end greeted him, and he spoke to the woman he had once lived with.

"Ah, Tohru? It's Shigure..."

By this time, the small Kaoru had wandered out into the kitchen where her father stood, and stayed a few feet back, watching.

"You see, I was wondering if you and Kyou have a little bit of room in the house for an old dog to stay in...?" the novelist inquired, and the pregnant girl on the other line giggled.

"Of course, Shigure! It's still your house, after all. Um...are you and Akito in a fight o-or something or...?"

"Don't worry about that, Tohru," Shigure replied, smiling with a forced chuckle. "I just think it's best that I give her a bit of space. You know how she gets."

Kaoru watched with curiosity as her father spoke, and when he hung up the phone, she approached him. "Is Papa going somewhere?"

Shigure turned to look at his four-year-old daughter, and plucked her into his arms. "Yes, but it's only for a night or two, until Mama isn't mad at him anymore. Okay, Kaoru?" He poked her on the nose, and she giggled.

"Can I come, Papa?"

"Oh, no, Kiddo," he responded, patting her head. "You need to stay here with Mama and make sure she doesn't cry. Can you do that for me?"

The four-year-old looked up at her father and nodded. "Yes, Papa!"

"Good. Now..." Shigure set her down and went to fetch his coat. "Go and see what Mama's up to, alright?"

"Okay, Papa!" beamed Kaoru, and she dashed off down the hall. Shigure watched his daughter before giving her a sad smile, turning and exiting out the door.

A/N: There it is, another chapter! I have muse, so I might get another one up tonight. Love ya! Review!