"Have you lost your mind, Shigure?" Hatori's words were an icy whisper.

"You know I come to you whenever I need a good scolding." Shigure sighed, kicking his feet out in front of him while leaning against the door of Hatori's office.

"I'm serious. Can you imagine what Kyo would do if he found out? I'd be amazed if she ever wanted to see you again." Shigure's worried eyes met his.

"Yuki came, so nothing happened." He shrugged halfheartedly.

"What if he didn't? Just what were you planning on doing with Miss Honda?" Hatori said, accusatory. It was rare for Shigure to see him this mad. Usually he was annoyed at most. Perhaps he had misjudged Hatori's apathy towards Tohru. He shrugged again, feigning apathy of his own.

"I'm not sure. I suppose whatever my body wanted to. I couldn't control it anymore. Believe me, I tried. It was getting painful."

Hatori covered his face with one hand, the other fisted atop his crossed legs. He took a deep breath before continuing. "Look, Shigure. We both know you don't really want to have sex with Tohru Honda."

"Do we? She is a rather alluring girl."

"Yes. Because the fallout would be horrendous. Not only would she hate you, but I'm sure everyone in the family would hate you. You are a grown man. She is a young girl. She was probably frozen in fear at your advances. That would certainly explain her hasty retreat. Regardless, it's hardly appropriate for you to be meddling in her sexual life to begin with. If she needed questions answered, you should have directed her to a professional." Hatori spoke with the level of authority Shigure had grown used to.

"Oh? Like you? What makes you any more qualified?"

"Well, for one, I wouldn't take the opportunity to show her my collection of whips, then force myself onto her."

"You have a collection of whips? You naughty boy."

Hatori's glare sent a shiver down his spine.

"Okay, okay. I get your point. I won't interfere anymore." Shigure held his hands up in defeat. Hatori sighed once again, something he was used to doing around Shigure.

"Good. I'll hold you to that. Now, I must plan for a trip. I believe you are leaning against the way out." Hatori turned towards his computer.

"A trip? And you didn't invite me? Where are you going?" Shigure stood up slowly, his hurt expression clearly faked.

"Hokkaido." Shigure froze.

"Hokkaido? Are you going to spy on the lovebirds?"

"Of course not, idiot." Rarely did Hatori resort to name calling. He must be in a bad mood. "Kyo asked me to come, at a distance of course. He was worried that Miss Honda's sensitivity to cold might lead to her falling ill."

"Oh. So where will you be staying?" Shigure asked, curiously cocking his head to the side.

"I can't tell you that."

"What? Why?"

"Kyo told me not to."

"Why would he do that?"

One sideways look from Hatori said it all. He would have to find out on his own. Shirgure smiled deviously before opening the office door.

"Hokkaido sure is beautiful this time of year."