Chapter 27

"Hey Gure… umm… I have something to tell you…" Came Kyomi's voice over the phone. She was standing outside their apartment building with Luc on her hip staring at the building.

"Something to tell me? Oh! Could it possibly be that you are calling to tell me that I'm going to be a father? Oh, my dear, I'm so excited that I'm over the…"

Beep beep beep…

Kyomi hung up on him before he could continue. Smiling menacingly at the knowledge that the teens were home from school and were probably within ear shot. She called the house back.

"Hello?" This time it was Kyo's gruff voice she heard.

"Hey brother, I have some bad news. But we are all safe so don't worry." Kyomi said before her brother could voice his concern.

"Oh no, don't tell me that damn dog was actually telling the truth for once! I'm gonna kill him!" Kyo dropped the phone to head back to where Shigure was sulking in the living room having been torn away from speaking with his girlfriend by her overprotective little brother.

"Hello?" Kyomi asked.

"Hello?" Came a soft voice.

"Yuki! Finally, a clear-headed person!" Kyomi said exasperated.

"You chose both of them you do realize that don't you?" He asked, a hint of teasing in his voice.

"Shigure yes, I did. But I didn't choose Kyo anymore than you did Aya so shut it." She teased him right back grinning. "Anyway, I was calling to tell you that Luc and I will be staying there for the foreseeable future. Our apartment building sorta… kinda… burned down…." Said Kyomi sheepishly.

"Your home burned down?" Yuki asked. "Is everyone alright?" He asked concerned.

"It seems like it. It was during the day so very few people were home and my dog was out with the sitter when it started. Thankfully all of my school materials I left at school and in my car and the same with my projects for Ayame. However, all the rest of our things are either water damaged or smoke damaged." She explained.

"Are you sure you're alright Onee-Chan?" Tohru's sweet voice asked.

"I am just fine. I haven't even been inside, nor can we go inside. The building is now condemned. It cracked something in the foundation, I guess. We weren't even home since it was our day at the shop." Kyomi explained.

"You are more than welcome to stay with us. Although since we don't have another room, Luc can stay with either Kyo or Tohru and truthfully it would probably be best if you stayed in my room. I'll take the futon on the floor, but only for you my dearest."

Kyomi sighed, clonking her head on her son's who looked at her confused.

"Mama and Luc go to Shi Gu's house?" Luc asked.

"Yes, we will go to Shigure's house sweet boy. And yes, Gure I think that will probably be best despite my misgivings." Kyomi said reluctantly. "And for the record, I'm only slightly concerned about you doing anything. I'm more concerned about me jumping you and my brother killing you." Kyomi said with laughter in her voice.

"Yes yes, if you saw the look of pure death on his face right now, you'd be even more concerned for my well-being!" Shigure said edging away from the orange haired boy glaring daggers into him.

"If you lay one finger on my sister…" Kyo started.

Beep beep beep…

Kyomi looked at her phone screen and giggled.

"Let's go to Shigure's house Luc. But first we need to make a stop by Ayame's…."

…

Kyomi and Luc slowly drove up to the house on the hill. She thought about the trip to Ayame's shop she had just had. Thankfully she had kept an extra change of clothes in the back of the shop for emergencies. She also knew she had left some pajamas at Shigure's so they would be set for the night. However, when she had told Ayame and Mine about what had happened, they had insisted on creating them at least a partial new wardrobe. She was a little concerned what the duo would come up with considering the excess of frills they used on a daily basis. Ayame had promised her he would make her some serviceable yet fashionable work and nice casual clothes that she could teach, craft, and play with Luc in, and maybe go on another date in. He had winked at her suggestively and she had elbowed him in the stomach.

They had set her and Luc up with a few pieces that hadn't made the cut but were still perfectly good clothes so she could get through until they were done. As she had left, she had heard Ayame announce to Mine that they were closing the shop for a few days to devote their full attention to Kyomi and Luc. It was all Kyomi could do to not turn back around and take the agreement back. However, she knew it was just her best friends' way of taking care of her and showing her their love. She had also taken a hat and scarf from her stash for them to wear. It hadn't been cold enough for them to be worn that day so they had supposedly turned black from smoke sitting in their entryway.

Kyomi pulled up to the house and parked her car. She laid her head back against the headrest and breathed deeply for a minute. She jumped at the knock on her window. The car door opened to Shigure popping his head in. She also heard Luc's door being opened behind her and his little voice yelling, "Ko! Toh u!" She smiled and then finally met Shigure's eyes.

"Are you alright?" he asked gently, searching her face. He must have seen something that Ayame hadn't or something Ayame had just ignored because Kyomi couldn't hold back the tears anymore.

"My wedding picture was in there. And my piano. And all of our things!" She whispered loudly into the crook of his neck where he had guided her head, careful to keep his hands on her arms so she wouldn't fall into him. Thankfully, he had sat on the edge of the floorboard of the car so while not the most comfortable position in the world, he wouldn't fall over either. He let her cry for as long as she needed, waving Tohru and Kyo away with Luc so the boy wouldn't be concerned. Luc happily went with the couple, swinging his feet up in the air, and laughing as loudly as he could.

Kyomi slowly calmed down. She found a handkerchief in her hands and quietly thanked Shigure as she sat up. She blew her nose and wiped her eyes before she looked at him.

"Feeling better?" He asked her.

"A little. I needed that." She said a little sheepishly.

"I know. Ayame called and said you were barely holding on and to get you to cry on me. I didn't expect simply seeing my face would be enough for that to happen though. I'm not sure whether I should be flattered or offended." He said teasingly, holding his chin in contemplation.

Kyomi giggled at his antics. "Flattered, I think. You know I don't cry in front of just anyone and I feel comfortable enough around you to be myself. So you should definitely feel flattered." She said smiling.

"Does this mean you'll sleep with me?" Shigure asked excitedly. Kyomi could have sworn she saw a puppy dog tail wagging and ears perked up expectantly. She attempted to glare at him but couldn't stop laughing long enough so she settled for a whack to his arm.

"Don't make me tell Kyo and Yuki on you." She warned through her giggling. Fake tears ran down his face.

"If you saw how they treated me earlier, you wouldn't threaten that." He said pitifully.

"You deserved it you… damn dog!" Kyo had paused mid-sentence to cover his nephew's ears.

"Kyo, you know covering his ears doesn't help if you yell." Kyomi commented dryly as she got out of the car. "I appreciate the attempt though." She said ruffling his hair.

"What kind of bags did you find?" Yuki asked holding up the frilly pink duffel. "Your brother gave us some clothes since we don't have any left. He also gave us the bag…. It might end up in the pond…" She said.

Kyo grabbed Luc's bag and trudged up the stairs. "His stuff is already in my room so he can just stay there. We sleep at about the same time anyway so he won't be a bother." Kyo said as he went, hiding his face to keep everyone from seeing the blush on his cheeks.

Kyomi shook her head at her little brother. They all went inside after him to get out of the cold.

"Yuki, Kyomi's bag goes in my room." Shigure said. Unfortunately, Kyo was just coming down the stairs as he said that.

"Shiiiiiiguuuureeeee…. What did you just say?" Kyo said menacingly from the stairs.

"Kyo, I agreed to it. There's really no other place for me to sleep. Plus, he works late most nights anyway. It will be fine." Kyomi said completely brushing off her brother's protests as she was bent over taking off her shoes. He however continued to try to tell her that it was a bad idea and that he wouldn't allow it. However, with that last statement. Kyomi had had enough.

"Kyo, you do realize I am an adult over a decade older than you who has had A LOT of sex before right? I know very well what leads to what and can do whatever the hell I please so can it!" Kyomi said finally losing her temper at him.

The teen huffed and went and went back up to his room. The rest of the family followed until it was just Shigure standing in the entry watching Kyomi finish taking her boots off.

"A lot of sex huh?" He asked with a twinkle in his eye.

Kyomi's cheeks heated slightly. "I really told him that didn't I?" She huffed a laugh into her hand. "I mean I guess it's no secret since we had a child, but still, it feels super awkward telling your teenage little brother that."

"What about telling me that?" He asked leaning towards her and playing with a strand of her hair.

Kyomi's breath caught in her throat. "Definitely not awkward…" She said as she glanced down at his lips.

"Well then maybe you should tell me more…." He said lowly as he leaned forward to meet her lips.

"Dinner is ready!" Tohru's voice rang through the house. The couple in front of the door didn't hear her so when Kyo came back down the stairs, they were the first thing he saw.

"Come on! Do you have to do that right there for everyone to see?" Kyomi started laughing into Shigure's mouth. Shigure however turned to grin at the teen. "Jealous, little kitten?" He taunted.

"You pervert! Of course not! She's my sister!" Kyo said as he visibly bristled.

Kyomi couldn't quiet her laughter anymore and just let it ring out. The two boys who were arguing looked at her oddly, but then grinned along with her. It was good to see her laughing so much especially after what had just happened.

After Kyomi's laughter calmed and she had wiped her eyes of tears, Shigure took her hand and led her in to eat dinner.

…..

That night after everyone was in bed, Kyomi took her bath with a glass of wine and just relaxed for a little while. Kyo had said he would take care of Luc until morning unless they really needed help, so she was free to enjoy some time to herself. Shigure had retired to his room long ago and was busy writing away at his desk. He had told her not to mind him and just go about her routine. She pecked a kiss to his temple and humming, did just that. She completely missed the small smile on the bespectacled man's face as he listened to her humming to herself.

She finally got out of the tub when she was good and pruny and toweled off, blow dried her hair, and put her pjs on. She was warm after her bath, so she didn't put on her fluffy robe. She found Shigure in the same place she left him and went to go give him a kiss goodnight.

"I'm going to bed Gure, but the light won't bother me so work as long as you need." She told him leaning over to give him a kiss. He enthusiastically returned it.

"If that's the way you say goodnight, I might need to say it a few more times." He teased her. She shook her head at him and playfully smacked his shoulder as she walked back to bed. She sighed as she snuggled under the warm covers.

"Kyomi, what piano maker do you think is best?" Shigure asked quietly.

Kyomi immediately was suspicious. "Why do you ask?"

"You're not allowed to ask questions, just answer mine." He said firmly looking at her over the rim of his glasses.

"You've been around Hatori too long…" Kyomi quipped, then gave in. "If we are talking baby grand or the like, I like a good Yamaha. I like the sound of them better. Although, I've only played them in a concert hall so if you are looking for something for a smaller space an upright would be better. A Steinway or a Yamaha would be good. If you are talking electric keyboard, I've always loved the sound and feel of my Korg. Just nice and simple, no bells and whistles, but a good solid feel and sound. And weighted keys! If they aren't weighted keys, it's a synthesizer and that's not a piano." She finished haughtily. She also noticed Shigure was writing notes as she spoke.

"I'm not allowed to ask questions huh? I think I already know what you are doing." Kyomi said resting her head in her palm as she turned to her side.

"Feign ignorance. It's not just me. There are many who heard of your plight and want to hear you play. We haven't heard you since the beach house and we would like a private concert in repayment." He said as he stood and crossed to the bed. He bent over to give her a long, searing kiss. "Sleep well my dear. I'll take my bath now so go to sleep." He said brushing her cheek lightly with his fingertips. "I'm going to get used to you being here very fast you know. Once I do, I don't think I'll be able to let you go." He teased as he walked to the bedroom.

"You're assuming I'll want to go…" Was Kyomi's sleepy comment, eyes already closed, and a sweet smile on her face.

Shigure had turned to look at her at her words, his eyes wide at her boldness. He saw her already almost asleep and figured that she was already half asleep. "By the time I'm done with you, you definitely won't want to leave." He grinned to himself as he shut the bathroom door behind him.

Sorry to hate on some keyboards, but as a classically trained pianist, unweighted keys gross me out LOL. They just feel awful to me. I can't feel how loud I'm playing if that makes any sense. I do play keys for my church's band too and have for over a decade so I do synth things too, but our church always had keyboards with weighted keys:)