Disclaimer: Names, physical attributes and some behavioral characteristics belong to Takaya-san.

A/N: I finished this chapter like a month ago, but it was extremely long and I deleted parts and rewrote them over and over. For some reason, I felt like my characterization was all off. I'm definitely not happy with the way it came out, but I promised to put something out sooner than later. The majority of my time was spent trying to edit it. I swear, I forgot how nice it was to have beta readers. One thing is for sure... LOOOOOOOONG CHAPTER IS LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOONG!

LAOB

Chapter 10: Dark Horse

The thunder was so loud that she squeaked out a frightened yelp when it resounded above her, pulling herself more tightly into her own embrace. And even though her eyes were closed, she could sense the flash of light illuminating the sky. As a child she used to count the seconds between the two, feeling relief when the time lapse grew longer. But, this storm had yet to arrive completely. Though her senses were clouded by alcohol, she wondered what would become of her. Would they find her there in the morning, burrowed into the cobblestone like a drowned rat or would no one come for her at all?

Just wait until the storm passes, she told herself. Maybe once it began to die down, she would feel less intoxicated. Still, there was the not so simple matter of her ankle that posed as more of threat than anything else at the moment. Even in the fog of inebriation that had taken control of her senses, she could feel the dull pain in her ankle, throbbing as the downpour continued to drum against it. She tried to remember how far into the maze she had gone, how many turns she had taken, how many minutes she had been missing… but it was all a blur.

It felt like nature was conspiring against her; laughing at her; mocking her. Why, even the prickly hedge was pointing nimble branches at her in contempt, and the cobblestone floor was doing it's very best to provide an uncomfortable haven and bed for her pathetically sodden state.

Ah, Tohru… how do you find your way into these situations? An ironic smile bloomed on her trembling lips. It must have been the years of practice she had in the art of stubborn idiocy.

And then she thought of him; of his grinning face and square jaw. The smell of his cologne and the glossy sheen of his hair whenever he leaned in closer to embarrass her with an inappropriate comment.

As much as she wanted to scold herself for thinking of him in those moments, she couldn't deny the warmth that spread through her belly, rising to her chest and breathing life back into her inflexible limbs.

"Such a coward…" She whispered. "Probably left the party when he didn't get his way." She clenched a thick curl of hair which had long since come undone from the beautiful arrangement on top of her head due to the rain. "What… does he think bossing women around and disrespecting them actually earns him their adoration?" He was the reason she was there. If he hadn't…

"Augh! What a selfish asshole!"

So focused on her ire, she was hardly able to notice that the rain had stopped, as though it had never been there in the first place. But, no… she could still hear it. It was all around her, striking the pavement with just as much cruelty as before.

"You were saying?" The voice was deep, amused. As soon as she heard it, she felt her most vital organ retract in her chest.

Slowly, she uncovered her face and peered upward. Shigure was crouched down and looming over her as if he had been there the whole time; a charming smile transposing his features into what she begrudgingly had to admit was one of the most attractive faces she had ever seen.

He really came.

And before she could form many of the asinine questions women liked to torment themselves with over men, his arms were beneath her and he had gently lifted her off of the ground. Her arms immediately circled his neck and she pressed her face into his chest, trying to capture as much warmth as his body could provide.

Tohru felt his eyes on her, and she met the unreadable expression in his gaze with uncertainty. "What is it?"

"You smell like a drunk whore."

She blinked. The little heat her body could muster of its own accord began surfacing in her face, and she glared up at him. "What?!"

His only response arose in the form of his left eyebrow, which chose to shift upward.

"What did you just say to me?!" Her limbs began flailing in an effort to get down. "I can't believe you! You just—"

"Good! So, it seems the delirium hasn't set in yet. Looks like I got here in a nick of time," Shigure interrupted her with a tsk tsk.

Her mouth closed, expression shifting from one of rage to confusion.

"Besides… you look prettier when you're angry. I much more prefer it to that sullen and pitiable expression you had just a few moments ago."

And with that, he pulled her closer and began making his way into the direction she had been heading. Everything was spinning as she held onto him, closing her eyes while trying to will away the after effects of the wine.

He was such a tiring individual. Even in her weakest moments, he still found it within himself to make fun of her. Still, she had to admit that she felt a bit better. The verbal sparring had temporarily allowed her to forget about the cold, the rain, and her physical injuries.

It was only a matter of minutes before he had exited on the other side of the maze. Looking up from beneath his chin, her eyes took in her surroundings. So, I really was close to the end? She wanted to laugh at the ridiculousness of it all, but her body ached too much to provoke the effort.

As he continued to walk in the direction of several parked vehicles, Tohru saw limousine after limousine, a parade of long, sleek cars waiting for their party to return. But, Shigure walked past all of them. Just as her forehead began to furrow into a frown, he stopped at a small red one.

Supporting her with one hand, he must have pressed a button because the car made a loud beep and lit up. The passenger side door slid upward like something she had seen in a futuristic movie and Shigure begin placing her inside.

"Wait… where's the—" Her sentence ended abruptly when she saw a palette of strange controls in the front panel of the car, and her damp skin met leather.

A deep chuckle sounded in her ear and she jumped as he leaned in closer to situate her legs inside the vehicle. "Relax, it's just a car… not a space shuttle. We're not going to the moon."

"But… but what about the limo?" She asked, afraid to touch even the seat her backside was pressed against.

He sighed, though it didn't seem to be out of irritation. "Tohru, this is a 2003 Ferrari Enzo Coupe, one of the most expensive cars ever built. I'm sure it will transport you just as safely to your destination. Now, would you kindly allow me to get out of the rain? Unlike some people, I don't enjoy dawdling in it for sport."

She noticed that he had already folded the umbrella and that most of his body was still outside of the car, despite his face, which was much too close for comfort. And it was then that she saw how soaked he was. His hair was just as plastered to his face as hers and there were mud stains working their ways up his legs as though he had been running around in a field.

Has he been looking for me for awhile?

He was still looking at her, his gaze studying the features of her face. Blinking, she opened her mouth to speak, but was abruptly cut short by a soft, "Shhhhhhhhh." His index finger had found its way to her mouth in an effort to silence her and, slowly, it glided away toward her cheek, where he gently slid a clump of hair from her eyes and mouth, tucking it behind her ear.

The next thing she knew, her door had closed and Shigure was climbing in on the opposite side next to her. The engine emitted a soft purr, and he began driving away from the mansion. Tohru watched it in the rear view mirror, the silhouette of it growing fainter and fainter as her driver sped away.

Shigure put the heat on full blast, despite the fact that it was summer, and she relaxed cozily into the leather interior, which also seemed to be affording heat of its own. Her eyes wanted to close and give into the dizzy escape that the wine provided. But, after a few moments of silence, Tohru realized that she didn't recognize her surroundings. She leaned forward suddenly, eyes searching the street signs for clues.

Turning in her seat, she frowned at him as though he were up to something, "Where are you taking me?"

"To a hotel so that I can have my way with you," he commented blandly while lighting a cigarette and pressing it to his mouth.

As usual, he hadn't missed a beat. It was as though he had read her mind and already had the answer prepared. How irksome.

She waved away the smoke he blew into the air with disgust. "I knew it! Turn this car around right now! I'd rather be back sleeping comfortably on the cobblestone than go to some sleazy hotel with you."

A grin emerged on his mouth, and he chuckled again, eyes still trained on the road. "And what if I did take you back? What would you do then?"

Tohru opened her mouth to respond, but found that nothing came out.

Shigure glanced at her, a dimple appearing in his cheek as he continued to smirk. "What? You look disappointed."

She blushed, uncertain as to why her face had rendered such an expression.

He continued. "Is it because you wanted to lay there in that miserable downpour? Or, is it because you wanted to spend the night with me after all?"

The fire that had ignited in her eyes a few moments before rushed to the surface of her pupils again. "I do not-!"

"Oh, would you calm down? I'm not going to touch you. I'm sure you've realized that this is the nice part of town," he alleged, making quotation marks with his fingers. "There's a cozy, little resort a few minutes away. I think it would be more responsible to take you there in order to get you cleaned up than drive the forty five minutes it would take to get you back home." He eyed her, gaze lingering on the cuts and bruises. "Especially in your condition."

Tohru's jaw shifted upward defiantly. "What's with that tone of voice? And what do you mean you're not going to touch me? Sorry I'm not as pretty as the hookers you generally spend your time with."

She realized the absurdity of her miffed rebuttal, but found that her boozed-up state was only aiding her in making a fool of herself. Still… did that mean he really didn't find her attractive after all?

Choking on a laugh, Shigure's head fell back to hit his head rest as though in exasperation, and he flickered a cluster of ashes out the window. "I can't win with you, can I?"

Tohru frowned at his obvious amusement. "Hmph…Well, I wasn't under the impression that we were playing a game." Though, the entire relationship had begun as a game in her mind, she could hardly call it that due to her lack of control while in his presence. A game wasn't a game if she didn't have the upper hand.

His smile faded slightly and he continued to watch the road, seemingly examining each road sign. She watched his profile, fascinated by the shadows that skirted across his face, and unable to stop the buzzing sensation in her head.

"Why did you come after me anyway?" She asked after a few moments to break the silence.

Shigure paused, eyes shifting to his rearview mirror before focusing on the road again. "What's the matter? Were you expecting a white knight to rescue you this time? Don't be fooled… men with dark horses can be just as gallant."

An indignant sound resembling a snort came simultaneously from her mouth and nose and she tried to shift in her seat in an effort to show her disagreement. But as she did, a sharp pain in her ankle caused her to wince. Her attention, then, turned to the bruises and scrapes she had accumulated in the maze, a look of concern wilting her features.

"There's no need to worry. It's not broken. It's not even a bad sprain and should heal in a couple of days," He said after a few moments of watching her internally count the wounds.

She didn't' even look at him. "How would you know?" She asked skeptically.

"I'm as smart as I am good looking."

Again, the snort. It was accompanied by Tohru sticking out her tongue. "You're so fool of shit."

"You forget that my best friend is a doctor." His gaze never shifted from the road. "I assure you… you'll be just fine."

Looking up at him, she found that she didn't have the energy to argue with him. Besides, the tone of his voice and the self-confidence visible into his body language didn't seem as though it warranted her usual confrontation. It was then that Shigure turned into the aforementioned hotel, and her mouth fell silent of its own accord. In fact, the only sound she seemed capable of was the sharp intake of breath at the sight of the establishment.

There were fountains, bright lights, golden archways, and probably the most terrifying thing of all. The twenty story building, which, indeed, meant he was taking her to a hotel.

Which means, we'll be… alone.

When the car stopped, her hand moved to find the doorknob of the passenger door, but a warm touch on her knee made her jump. Glancing up, Tohru's cheeks began to flush as she realized the source of that warmth.

"Wha... what is it?"

His lips, which were generally fashioned into a mocking scowl or a devious grin, offered a half smile that Tohru found she didn't recognize. The dimple in his cheek was still apparent, but there was something slightly more whimsical than she was used to seeing in his gaze.

"I'll carry you. I don't want you tripping and falling all over the place because you don't know how to hold your alcohol." He winked.

Tohru would have protested, but he was already getting out of the car and hurrying around to the other side.

Really… what will people think when they see you carrying me into such an extravagant place as this?

She found herself glancing in the review mirror to check her appearance, which had become more like a crumpled weed instead of the unfamiliar flower she had seen earlier in the night. The sound of the door opening forced her eyes to look away from her disheveled state, and she peered up at him as he reached in for her.

It was all too much; the movement making her head spin, the smell of his skin and collar as he gathered her into his arms, the perfect curve of his jaw, the light that fell from his eyes when he gazed down at her, his hand on the small of her back. Something ached in her chest, rippling downward until the sensation caused a tremor to occur in her stomach. Her face, which was stationed on his chest and shoulder, inched closer to the crook of his neck, where her lips sought the warm flesh there and kissed it softly.

He visibly jumped, head shifting away from her abruptly. Still leaning away, Shigure peered down at Tohru with an uncertain smile trying to form on his mouth. "What are you doing, trouble maker?" He said in jest, though there was something about his tone that didn't quite ring with its usual confidence.

Tohru knew it was the wine that had made her feel so bold, but with that kind of empowerment invading her senses, she was relieved to have it as an ally. Otherwise, she would never have had the courage to kiss him.

But when she did, Shigure didn't pull away, though his mouth remained stationary as she slowly moved her lips against his. It was a small gesture, but she could tell that he had felt it, despite the clouded mass of inebriation swimming in her head. His lips moved to her hair, and for a moment seemed to become immobile again, the only thing touching the cavity of her ear being his breath.

"Stop trying to seduce me. It won't work."

The soft allure of warmth resulting from his words suddenly became icy as she realized their implication. Seduce? Tohru bit down hard on her lip, shame and embarrassment ascending to darken her features with a crimson hue. He was already moving inside the hotel with his usual grace and poise. Covering her face with the chest of his shirt, she hid from the stares of people who found the unlikely pair standing at the front desk of the establishment.

From the conversation, she discovered that the room had already been reserved and that it was the Penthouse. Her body stiffened in his arms as she wondered how far in advance he had booked a room. And what of the words he had spoken only minutes before? Tohru was so confused, and wanted nothing more than to lay her head back until her surroundings ceased to spin. This fairy tale dream of fast sports cars, ornate gowns, and profligate establishments were fatiguing her senses.

She heard the click of the door as he opened the room with the key, and light filtered through her closed eyes when he flicked the switch. Blinking slowly, a small whimper escaped her mouth when she saw the room before her. It was like its very own apartment. No… a house. It was definitely bigger than some houses she had seen. The white bed seemed as immense horizontally as it did vertically. There was a mini bar of expensive bottles and glasses, and cloth bar stools to accompany it. The rug alone looked more expensive than the total cost of everything she owned. She didn't even want to see the bathroom. She was worried that she might find a pool in there.

He sat her down on the bed, and went into what she assumed was the bathroom, where she heard running water for a moment. Shigure appeared again with a mug of what she assumed was water and a cloth inside, as well as a phone in his hand. He kneeled before her with the phone pressed against his ear and when she went to back away, he caught her wrist in his hand, giving her a stern look that made every bone in her body feel like dead weight.

"Yes, this is Shigure Sohma. If it's not too much trouble, I would like some fruit, as well as cheese and crackers?" There was a pause. "No need for that. Yes… yes… thank you." Hanging up the phone, he smiled at her. "What? Do you think I'm going to bite you?"

"N-no… but, why are we… why here?"

The smile grew. "I thought we already covered this. You really should pay more attention to your elders, young lady… you're going to get cleaned up so that you can get some rest." He began wiping her face with the warm cloth as if she were a child. As he worked, she saw that make-up mixed with dirt was coming off on the rag. He, then, concentrated on her arms and the mud that still clung to her legs. Standing up, he left for a few moments of searching and came back with ice and a first aid. Eventually, she relaxed enough to lie back as he cleaned her cuts, even going as far as to tie a bigger towel around her ankle with the ice to numb it.

When he stood up, she saw the room spin a little as he came into view. Looking down at her, he chuckled. "What's with that face? Are you still drunk?"

Tohru scrunched her face up. "Nuuu… I'm not. Stop makin' fun of me." And then she got a better glance at him. "Look who's talking. You don't look so hot yourself."

Shigure grinned, slinging a towel over his shoulder. "Does that mean you'll join me in the shower then?"

Tohru blanched, but found herself snorting in an effort to hide her embarrassment. "Now you're just making fun of me. Didn't you just tell me no funny business outside?"

The grin remained. "Maybe… but, perhaps, you got that all wrong. I told you to give up on seducing me… but I never said I didn't intend to seduce you."

And with that he turned around, heading back to the bathroom. She heard him whistling, a sharp, perfect sound that she wouldn't be able to imitate in a million years. Moments later, water from the shower sounded and she could hear him getting in.

The heat rose to her face. She couldn't believe she was in a hotel room with a man she barely knew, and that he was naked in the next room, no less. Half of her wanted to get up and find something more to drink at the bar so that she didn't have to face herself when she finally did sober up. But, judging by the faint spell that smacked her in the face when she sat up, it was unnecessary.

Tohru's eyes found the door to the bathroom, and she wondered if he had left it unlocked. Shivering at the thought of what might happen if she had decided to find out, she put her arms around herself and mentally chastised her idiocy. The shower didn't last long, and when Shigure reappeared, he was wearing a white robe, and still whistling.

His first stop was the bar, where he poured her something. Turning, he headed back to the bed with the glass outstretched for her retrieval.

She hesitated. "What is it?"

"Relax, will you?" It's only water." He rolled his eyes.

Taking the glass, she sipped on it, welcoming the cool, refreshing taste of the water. He took it from her when she'd had her fill and placed it on the nightstand adjourning the bed. He, then, tossed a robe at her.

"Put it on. I'll make you some tea." He said, his voice, again, holding that no nonsense tone that Tohru found impossible to argue with.

When he disappeared, she pulled herself into a standing position and began removing layers of the dress. It was the zipper in the back that gave her trouble, however. After a few moments of grabbing at it, she heard him in the other room.

"Still not done?"

Blushing, she turned away from the voice in fright. "I… my… my zipper is stuck," she said in a low voice.

She could tell that he had reappeared by the force of his voice behind her, and she jumped. "You're zipper?"

"Y-yes… could you…?" She asked quietly, her voice trailing off.

He was silent for a moment. "Could I what?"

Tohru sighed, though it was more out of humiliation. "Could you… unzip me?"

She felt him crossing the room, his words now ringing loud and clear. "I'm sorry… what was that? I didn't quite hear you."

Her head lowered, and she closed her eyes. It was apparent by the amusement etched in his tone that he knew exactly what she had asked.

"… please…," was all she was able to say.

From behind her, his smile faded. He was so unaccustomed to a woman's shyness that he almost wanted to savor the moment. But, it was all too obvious how disconcerted and uncomfortable she was. Reaching up, he found the zipper in the folds of the dress. It took some maneuvering, but eventually it began to give and he was dragging it down.

Since her head was tilted forward, he had a nice view of her neck, but as her back became exposed, he stopped. Swallowing, he wondered if he should just let her take the rest of it down.

"Is it… did it catch again?" She asked, concern in her voice.

"Uhm…" He sighed, fumbling over his words for a second. "Yes… it did. Give me a second."

Shigure felt slightly guilty for lying, but he couldn't deny the sweet allure of the nape of her neck and the small exposure of her back in front of him. Pretending to fumble with it for a few moments, he continued to pull it down. His eyes found the back of her bra next, and then the delicious curve of her lower back. Stopping at the bottom, his head, independent of his brain, began leaning forward, lips halting just before they touched her shoulder blade.

As soon as his breath fell across her skin, he heard her gasp and saw the muscles of her back tensing. The accumulation of goose bumps was also present, and it only furthered the heat spreading to his loins. Slowly, his lips lowered until they met the warmth of her skin. His tongue lightly touched her shoulder for a moment in an open mouthed kiss, and then he blew softly on the coveted area before kissing her again.

Tohru felt as though her legs would give out. There she was, nearly naked in front of him and she had absolutely no control over her body as it inevitably fell victim to his touch. A weak, intoxication, completely separate from the wine, spread from the contact of his touch, igniting a fierce burning in her stomach that fueled in her abdomen.

God, is it so wrong to want him?

Of course she knew the answer to that question.

Should I… turn around?

She felt her nose stinging slightly as if she would cry. His touch, the aching sensation, it was making it all so difficult to think.

And as she decided that she would turn around to face him, she felt him stop. The air on her skin where he had just been now felt cold and needy, as though it longed for more of his affection.

Why did he stop? Does he… is he just trying to tease me?

She heard him leaving the room, and she continued to stand there for a few more minutes, shaking, isolated, and most of all… confused. When her senses finally resurfaced, she pulled the dress down, and stepped out of it. Folding it loosely, she placed it on the vanity near the bed, and began wrapping the soft robe around her shoulders and midriff. She, then, found the comfort of the bed again, discovering that the entire experience had sobered her considerably. Kicking off the ice tied around her ankle, she now just wanted to cry.

"I'm coming back in," Shigure said a few minutes later and she recognized the friendly sound of a tea tray as he came closer to the bed. Setting it on a tray stand next to where she lay, he picked up a cup and saucer and put it close to her hands.

Sitting up again, Tohru kept her face lowered and received the tea with a barely detectable nod. She noticed, out of the corner of her eye, that he had made a cup for himself as well. She tentatively took a small sip of it and closed her eyes as her body received the warmth. She returned it to the tray a moment later, and fell back against the bed with a whooshing sound.

Shigure chuckled. "Comfortable?"

Tohru didn't answer immediately, but let her gaze finally find his. "No… just thinking about how uncomfortable you look."

"Hmmm… is that so… ?" His left brow rose in question.

She nodded. "Why don't you lie down?"

He seemed to have an answer ready. "Because I don't want to be kicked by you when you fall asleep. I can tell you're the type that snores and hogs all of the blankets. It will just end in me sleeping on the floor."

Tohru shook her head. "That's not it." Her eyes narrowed slightly as they focused deftly on him. "It's because you're attracted to me."

She didn't think it was the alcohol anymore, but she couldn't be sure. Perhaps, she was just worn out by the events of that night, but, for some reason, she felt like she didn't really care about guarding herself against this man. At least, not for the moment.

Shigure chuckled, masking what she thought might be shock with indifference. "So you say. But, if you knew how many women I have invited to this room, you might not think so highly of yourself."

Tohru frowned slightly. "So what number am I?"

His grin faded into stubbornness. "What difference does that ma—?"

"What number am I?" She demanded.

Leaning forward, he stopped when one hand was resting on the bed so that he could look down at her. "Listen here – you can believe whatever you want in order to sleep at night. But, make no mistake about it. I only brought you here because you were intelligent enough to get drunk and run off at what was supposed to be a classy affair, and then proceeded to—"

Tohru interrupted him again, but this time… with her mouth. Reaching up, she grabbed fiercely at his midsection, causing him to fall on top of her. She caught his mouth in mid sentence, before his mind was able to comprehend her actions. But, as she forcefully pressed her lips to his, she felt him responding immediately, a sensation that elicited a desire to throw all caution to the wind.

Shigure's hands slipped around her waist, pulling her roughly against him with a low groan humming in his throat. She felt the heat searing her skin wherever they touched. His lips were on her eyes, her nose, her mouth, her cheeks, and when they found her neck, she couldn't stifle the moan that ripped through her own lips.

Her hands found his shoulder and began pushing his robe away from them. Shigure made a pleasurable sound that echoed in Tohru's ear when her nails found his flesh and dug in slightly. Her head was spinning even more than it had when she'd been drunk. In fact, she found this sensation to be much more inebriating than wine.

Through the thinness of the robe, it was very obvious how aroused he was. She felt an urgent tingle in her chest and stomach at the knowledge that he did, indeed, seem to want her. Tohru, gently tugged on his ear with her teeth, all the while pulling his robe down his chest and stomach.

"Shigure…" She purred in his ear.

His response was a guttural noise that came in the tenor of a question.

"I want—"

It was then that a loud musical jingle resounded through the room, posing as an interruption. Tohru's body tensed at the commotion, and before she could register what it was, Shigure had removed himself from her.

As the distance between them continued to lengthen, she felt her senses slowly returning before realizing that it was the doorbell.

A/N: She's finally coming around to him, but unfortunately, that in itself isn't a solution to such a complicated relationship. There was a small portion that was told in his perspective. I plan to have more of that in chapter 11. Also, I hope to bring some of the Mabudachi Trio back in, as well as introduce a little bit cat and mouse interaction. Waiii! Must find inspiration.

Ja ne,

Lina