Disclaimer: I don't own anything associated with Fruits Basket.
What does it take to set the Sohmas free after Akito's death?
The Puppet Master's Last Testament
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Chapter Seven:
To the Doctor's House We Go!
"Towel please."
Shigure grabbed a towel of the hanger and handed it over to Tohru in the shower.
"Thank you."
She dried herself off and got out, the towel tied securely around her torso, but leaving lots to his imagination. All the beautiful curves and angles of her body accentuated.
As she stepped out of the shower, she accidentally slipped.
Shigure managed to catch her, her chest plastered against his side, almost touching his front, almost initiating the curse. Hearts pounded simultaneously. Heavily.
They looked up at each other.
Her eyes seemed hooded and lust-induced. Shigure looked down. Her towel had fallen but the close proximity of their bodies prevented him from seeing 'anything'.
She tried to move away and pull up her towel, but Shigure grasped her wrist and groaned, "No. Tohru," before crashing his lips against hers in a fiery kiss.
---
"Shigure?"
He snapped out of his reverie. "Huh?"
"Can you hand me my towel on the hook?" Aw, darn.
"Oh, yeah, sorry. The blood isn't really circulating to my hand anymore, I kind-of fell asleep." His words came out in a jumbled mess.
Tohru dried up, put on her clothes (she choose a wide boat-neck shirt for easy on-off motion), and stepped out.
They went downstairs to check on their cake. Perfect timing.
It was finished. With oven mitts, Tohru brought out the pan and cut it out slowly, meticulously.
"Okay, now we are going to cut it parallel and fill the center with berries and cream. Strawberry Shortcake is okay with you, right?"
"Anything my darling."
Tohru thought nothing of his comments. He was his usual old self.
Tohru cut the berries with both hands, and Shigure slathered the cream onto the cake generously. Tohru lay a bed of strawberries on. Shigure put more cream on before adding the top of the cake.
"Voila," she said, "Now we put on the more cream. Make sure it's seamless."
Shigure attempted, but to no avail. It looked like a volcano by the time he finished.
"Oops."
"It's okay Shigure. I can fix it."
She took the spreader and with the skill of a pastry chef, swirled the base with one and while she smoothed out the cream.
By the time she was done, it was perfect.
"Wow."
"Now we put on the extra strawberries."
"I'll do it," Shigure offered.
He took the strawberries and made a heart-shape.
"Hatori will like that," Tohru said, very pleased with the outcome.
Shigure looked down. He hadn't even realized that he'd created a heart-shape. It hadn't even been intentional.
He was acting really strange these past few hours. This 'cuff' thing must be getting to his brain.
"Ready to bring it to Hatori?"
She nodded.
"We'll go on my bike."
"Are you sure? I mean—"
"Yes."
"I've never been on a motorbike before, I don't want to be a burden, I'm still wearing by pjs, I don't think it would be appropriate, I-I might—" she blabbed until Shigure put a finger on her lips.
"Don't worry Tohru. I'm here."
They put the cake in plastic container and they went outside.
It was about six in the late afternoon.
Both wearing there sleeping clothes, they tied the cake to the back.
"Okay, Tohru, put this helmet on and hold onto me tightly. Everything will be alright."
She did as told and they were off. It felt good to have someone trust him for once. He might even have taken the longer way to get to the Sohma main house. There was this good indescribable feeling to have Tohru's head on his shoulder blade. Her arm, still cuffed, drapped over his chest.
They reached the gate and pressed the call button for Hatori.
He let them in.
---
Hatori racked his brain. He really didn't want to see Tohru. He didn't want her to see right through him. To see his guilt. Shame.
He opened the door when they knocked and let them in.
When Tohru looked at him, he averted his eyes from hers. Barely noticing the cuffs.
"Why are you two hand-cuffed together?"
Shigure said quickly, "Experimenting for my latest book."
Hatori took the 'wink' as something Shigure would share with him later.
"We have a surprise for you."
Tohru chipped in, "We made you a strawberry cake, Hatori. For being such a great doctor."
She extended her hands with the plastic container in hand. Hatori couldn't help but smile.
"Thank you so much, but I can't accept it."
"Why?" Shigure pouted.
When Hatori didn't respond, Tohru said, "How 'bout this, Shigure-san and I will eat it with you?"
Hatori gave into Tohru's innocent charm. A little cake wouldn't do any harm.
He invited them over to his desk, and they ate. Tohru had thought ahead with forks and paper plates. Hatori couldn't help but think that she'd someday she would make a perfect wife.
"That was delicious. Did Shigure really help you?" licking the cream of his lips.
"Hai. Shigure did."
Shigure grinned widely, as he bite into his last strawberry, managing to make a red mess over his face.
"So, how is the 'experiment' coming along, Shigure?"
"Great. I'm learning much about Tohru. She had a very busy day."
Hatori thought to himself, you guys push her too hard. It's about time you realized that.
After finishing one-third of the cake, Shigure said aloud, "May I use the restroom?"
Hatori retorted, "Sure, but how?"
Shigure's head was always thinking.
"Hatori, can I borrow a towel?"
"There on the third shelf in the closet outside the bathroom."
Shigure and Tohru shuffled over to the bathroom. He took out a towel and tied it around Tohru's eyes, making sure not to make it too tight. He didn't want to harm his key to freedom.
He did his business, and then took it as a chance to read the next clue.
He pulled it out of his pocket.
Step Four: As you've probably realized, you two will be spending the night together, in cuffs. You must sleep on the same bed. You mustn't do anything to her.
Best wishes.
This sounded like fun. They got out of the bathroom, and Shigure removed her blind.
Shigure looked at the clock on the wall. It was eight. Wow, did time pass by quickly.
"We'd better head back, Tohru. The boys might worry."
"Hai."
"Good-bye Hatori. I'll talk to you later."
"Good-bye Tohru. Be careful."
They got onto the bike again, and drove home.
---
For dinner, they had soba noodles and some radish. Shigure decided that he would take a shower in the morning. He didn't want to put Tohru through all the trouble.
As they washed and dried the dishes, he brought up the next step.
"Um, Tohru. We have to sleep together tonight."
"Huh?"
"For the experiment to work, we have to sleep together, cuffed," he said. When he saw the hesitation and confusion written over his face, he added, "I promise I won't do anything."
Could she trust him?
"Okay. A promise is a promise. Pinky-swear?"
He gave her his little finger, and he promised. So innocent.
At nine-thirty, after the two companions finished watching the latest news on television, Yuki and Kyo returned home. Shigure quickly covered their joined hands with a throw.
"Where have you two been all day?"
"Visiting. We already had lunch, so don't bother making us anything, Tohru," Kyo grumbled, "I'm so full. It's all Yuki's fault for bringing us to that buffet. I'm going out for a walk."
Yuki protested, "It was the only place open. Plus, Nabe and Hito wanted to go too."
"Those are your friends."
Shigure loved to watch them bicker- cat and rat. Destined to be rivals. Enemies.
Kyo stormed out, and Yuki stormed upstairs, shouting behind him, "I'm taking a shower and then I'm going to sleep."
Shigure said, "We should too, my little flower."
"O-kay," Tohru said tentatively, fiddling her thumbs.
Shigure didn't want her to feel this way. He turned her shoulders to him and forced her chin up so he was staring into her eyes directly.
"Tohru. I would never do anything to hurt you intentionally. Remember that. I care about you."
She nodded, giving him a wistful smile. "Let's go."
Shigure stopped at his room to pick up some pj pants. Normally he sleep in the nude. But not tonight. He had made a promise.
And he wouldn't break it.
He locked his own door, so if the 'boys' came to check up, they'd think he was asleep.
---
He locked Tohru's door when they entered.
"Shigure, is it okay if I read a little. It helps me sleep better."
"Sure."
Anything his little flower's heart desired.
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They had been playing the game for one day, twenty-three hours, and fifty-five minutes.
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A/N: How will the night go? What do you think? How do you think Hatori is feeling about this plan; is it worth it?
Make my day – Review. Thanks so much to those who have. You make me a happier person.
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Lucy: Thank you for your thoughts.
Anonymous: Thanks (I love long reviews!). Don't worry, Shigure will not be attempting any rape. Everything is consensual. I will take your idea into consideration (love the angst!).
