" How the hell did you get in here?! How did you know where I was?!"
" I am you're legal guarding and grandmother after all."
Runa walked over and sat down with a plop staring from her grandmother to her aunt.
" So what do you want?"
She asked eyeing the both of them.
" We came here because now that you're of age the con-"
Her Aunt was silence but her grandmother's hand.
" I came to see how you were doing and wondering why you did not feel the need to visit me and tell me you were all right."
Runa could tell her grandmother was concerned she could be cold and calculating but she did care.
" I didn't think I needed to. But I'm sorry if I worried you."
" That's all right but please next time tell me so I can greet you."
Runa only mumbled and looked away. Her Aunt coughed to bring the attention back to the reason for the visit.
" Was that the only reason you came?"
'I doubt it was the reason at all. Her worry yea right!'
Her grandmother only smiled at her while her Aunt just glared at her. For some unknown reason she seemed to have it in for her and she didn't know why.
" No I came to invite you over Saturday for tea. I haven't seen you in a while and thought it would be nice to see how you have been doing."
Runa glanced back and forth between the two women. She really was suspicious now but she was curious too. Curiosity got the better of her. " Sure why not what time?"
Her Grandmother smiled her eyes shinning with victory and she could have sworn she looked smug.
Shigure was sitting down drinking coffee and reading the paper he still had a few minutes before the meeting and he needed to relax.
" Uh- Shigure?"
" Hmmm?"
He was still reading the paper so Tooru tried again.
" Shigure do you-uh-do I-um."
" Yes Tooru?"
He shifted the paper and peered around it to find Tooru standing in the middle of the room dressed in a pale pink kimono with white Sakura petals stitched on it and a dark pink sash around her waist. Her hair was pulled up and held in place by two white chopsticks she had on no make-up save for some light pink eye shadow.
" Um-Shigure?"
Tooru was fidgeting she wasn't sure if he liked it or not. Maybe she should change into something else but Uo and Sakai had said this one looked best on her and even Ayame had said it looked good.
" Maybe I should go cha-"
"No! You look wonderful Tooru. I'm sure Yuki will like it."
A small blush began to creep into her cheeks at the mention of his name. And no sooner had he said that then Yuki walked into the room.
Yuki knew he was taking much too long dressing but he wanted to look nice for Tooru but nothing he had looked good and he had tried everything on well almost there was still the outfit his brother had given him. Sighing he picked up the pale gray violet material and began to dress. He looked himself over before making his way down stairs. He stopped at the door when he heard Shigure talking to Tooru. He growled at what he inu was saying and was walking in to slug him when all thoughts flew from his head except how gorgeous Tooru looked standing there.
" Do I look all right?"
Yuki couldn't say anything so he just nodded his eyes traveling up and down Tooru's body before resting on her face.
" Shouldn't you two be going the festival has probably already started?"
" Oh! Right."
Tooru smiled as she grabbed Yuki's hand and rushed out the door.
" Don't do anything I wouldn't do!"
Shigure yelled after Yuki but he was still too much in a daze to hear his teasing comment.
Runa yawed and stretched again she was running on four hours of sleep, which normally wasn't so bad but that's all she had in the last two days and it was starting to wear her down.
She got out of the cab and walked up the path to the Sakura compound. She never really liked this place it always gave her the chills no matter how beautiful it looked she knew it held a great deal of secrets and darkness.
" Quit stalling you are not ten your twenty-one."
She muttered as she squared her shoulders taking a deep breath to steady herself.
Shigure knew he was stalling but he wasn't sure why no he knew why. It was because he didn't want to see her again he had hoped that the contract would have been broken over the years but neither family broke it.
" Shigure quit stalling."
He glanced up to see Hatori standing in the doorframe. Sighing he stood up and walked outside with Hatori and climbed in the car.
Hatori was watching his friend and cousin out of the corner of his eye he knew that Shigure was nervous but it seemed like he didn't want this. Though who could blame him he was in a contract with a family who didn't know about the curse. When Akito had learned of this he had been outraged and demanded it called off, however, much to Shigure's dismay him and Akito were told that it was a deal made before Akito it was made by his grandfather, the former head of the household. Even though he hated it Akito could do nothing about it, but he doubted it would end there.
The car ride there was nothing but silence and tension. When they did get there he noticed the inu kept glancing to the side like he wanted to run. Hatori shook his head.
Runa had dressed in a traditional kimono, it was a pale green with dark green and black dragons stitched on it, she had a dark forest green sash wrapped around her waist and her hair was pulled into a loose bun held up by a black sash. She was currently kneeling on the floor drinking tea with her grandmother. The silence was killing not to mention her feet had fallen asleep she never was able to do this; she didn't have the patience.
Her grandmother gazed over at her granddaughter and smiled she knew it was taking her everything she had to sit there in that restricting kimono and sit in silence. She watched as she tapped her foot trying to regain feeling.
They both gazed up, their Aunt and cousin were walking in both dressed in a kimono. As usual her cousin looked breathtaking making Runa wish she never agreed to this. Her cousin took her place next to Runa while the mother stood.
" We're going to the Sakura festival did you want to come?"
" No thanks."
She didn't even glance at her cousin instead she turned back towards her grandmother.
" I really have to go. It was nice to talk to you again."
" But my dear we have hardly started yet."
Runa just looked at her biting her cheek to stop what she was about to say from spilling from her lips.
' Oy if I have to sit here in silence in this dam kimono for another two hours I'm going to kill someone!'
She noticed her Aunt kept gazing at the door then back to her cousin. It was making her even more agitated than before. She suddenly heard voice then footsteps heading towards them. Something in her brain clicked and she glared at her grandmother.
'Why that sneaky snake.'
" It was lovely seeing you again but I have to go. Good-bye."
With out waiting for a response she stood up and grimaced at blood rushed back into her dead feet causing them to tingle severely. After a second she turned around and went out the back door and onto the porch just as Shigure and Hatori came in.
Shigure gazed up at the gates, it had been a long time since he had come here and he was still nervous. They were greeted by a young woman with pale blond hair wearing a deep blue kimono with sea horses on it. Shigure grinned at Hatori but he just looked away.
"Oh! Gomen.I didn't- I wasn't watching where I was going."
She bowed slightly lifted her gaze up to them, she had startling blue eyes and very creamy white skin.
" Oh no it was our fault."
She regarded them for a moment her eyes searching their faces then her eyes lit up in recognition and she smiled.
Hatori almost lost it she looked like a goddess standing there even more so now that she was smiling. He had to force himself to breath again.
" Shigure-san, Hatori-san!"
They both stared at her for a moment but it was Shigure who recognized her first.
" Evie?"
The blonde smiled even more her head bobbing up and down making her hair cascade around her shoulders.
Hatori stood there unable to believe his eyes. This couldn't have been the same clumsy, shy, scrawny girl he remembered, could it?
" How have you been? I heard you began a writer Shigure-san."
" I'm fine, thank you. Yes I have the life of a great novelist."
" What kind of books do you write no one would tell me they all just kind of coughed and looked away. I wonder why?"
'So much like Tooru, I can't resist.'
" Hmm.it's hard to put into words though I think if you would let me, I could show you."
Evie pondered this for a second before smiling and nodding her head yes.
" Shigure."
"Oh! I must be keeping you, Gomen. It was nice to see you both."
She smiled and bowed before heading out of the gates. Shigure watched as Hatori's gazed seemed to follower her out.
They were shown to the tearoom by a very regal looking woman in white robes, she knocked on the door before opening it. His gaze scanned the room to find an older woman sitting down drinking tea while a younger girl with brown hair looked as though she was going to go after someone but was stopped by a middle aged woman's hand. He looked in the direction the young girl was staring and saw the last of a light green kimono and red hair disappear around the bend.
Runa could feel the tears pricking at the corners of her eyes. The tingling in her feet had now erupted into something much worse and her legs had decided at that moment to cramp up on her causing her to sink to the ground.
' Dam it! That smarts.'
She rubbed her legs hopping to get rid of the cramp and quicken the blood flow but it wasn't working.
" Hello Shigure-san."
He turned towards the older woman she had always made him feel like a little kid getting caught doing something he shouldn't have, which he usually was but that wasn't the point.
" Hello."
He bowed slightly and waited for her to talk. What she said surprised him it even surprised Hatori and that was hard to do.
" If you hurry you might be able to caught my wandering wolf. I believe she is near the pond by the willow tree perhaps?"
Shigure walked out the door wondering what exactly she was up to. He could hear her asking Hatori to sit and have some tea with her.
He soon found her; she was sitting under the willow tree her light green kimono hiked up to her thighs. Those shapely creamy white thighs that were attached to legs that went on for miles. He let his gaze travel up her curvy hips to chest and slender neck where her face was hidden under a curtain of red hair. She looked to be massaging her feet and legs.
' Can't let her just sit there she might me hurt.'
Runa shifted the kimono again it was really cutting off her breathing and it was too restricting. She pulled her feet out in front of her and was massaging her calf when another set of hands began to massage her foot.
" Wh-"
What ever she was going to say because she forgot it when her eyes came up to gaze into a pair of deep brown ones. She sat there for a few more seconds while he just smiled at her and continued to massage her foot. She felt the heat pool into her stomach and her face.
Shigure had to control himself to just keep his hands on her feet and ankles but the way she was looking at him he didn't think he could stop himself if he did go past her knees.
" Still can't sit through a tea ceremony and I though I taught you better than that."
The light clicked on in her eyes and the blush deepen but she smiled and lunged forward. Too late to try and avoid it or stop her he waited for the tell tale poof, but it never came.
He looked up to see Runa was hugging him a smile on her red face.
" Shigure! What are you doing here? Did you ever become a writer like you wanted? Do you still have an infatuation with schoolgirls? Are you still with Ana? What about Ayame and Hatori are they with you? Did you ever get that picture I sent you? Is Hatori still with Kahana? Are you staying long? What are-"
Shigure clamped a hand over her mouth resisting the urge to use his lips to shut her up. He was still in shock over the fact he hadn't changed into a dog and here she was bombarding him with a thousand questions.
Runa blushed when she realized what she was doing that and she was straddling him her kimono riding up her thighs. Jumping off quickly she straighten up and sat down waiting for him to talk.
Shigure got up and straighten his clothes then glanced at Runa she was trying to hide her smile but failing and he could tell she was impertinent because she kept shifting her bottom back and forth over her feet. And all he could think about was how lucky her feet were to be pressed against her round little bottom.
" Shigure."
He had to laugh at her she was still acting like the six year old he had first met.
" Try one question at a time."
She smiled and jumped up falling next to him with a plop.
" What are you doing here?"
' Ah how to answer that question.'
" I came with Hatori he was looking for your sister Evie."
"Evie went to the festival you probably just missed her. Hmm? Oh I know!"
She laughed jumping up and grabbing his hand pulling him with her while her other hand held up her kimono. They raced back towards the house and stopped outside the door panting.
Hatori had stopped what he was saying and turned to see the tow come in. Runa looked stunning and he could Shigure thought so too with the way he was looking at her. She looked up and spotted him and squealed like a little kid.
"Hari!"
She let go of Shigure and hurled herself at Hatori knocking him backwards and surprising everyone in the room save her grandmother who only smile knowingly.
" Hello Runa."
" Runa I think he would like to sit up."
"Hun?"
She looked at her grandmother than at Hatori and flushed climbing off him.
" Shigure told me why you are here."
" And you're not angry?"
She glanced at her grandmother and looked at her funny.
" Why would I be? I think its great!"
Hatori glanced at his cousin to find him avoiding his gaze a slight tint of pink to his cheeks.
Before he could question him though Runa jumped up and pulled him with her and out the door shouting after them.
" See ya later!"
He had to dig his heals into the ground to stop her but it worked.
"Where are we going?"
" To the festival of course."
" Wouldn't you rather go with just Shigure?"
Runa laughed.
" Now why would I do that when I'm trying to help you get Evie."
Hatori glared at the inu who was slinking away from him. He was going to pay for this little white lie.
" Come on hurry up before someone snatched her away from you!"
Runa laughed as she tugged on his hand and pulled him towards the festival.
" I am you're legal guarding and grandmother after all."
Runa walked over and sat down with a plop staring from her grandmother to her aunt.
" So what do you want?"
She asked eyeing the both of them.
" We came here because now that you're of age the con-"
Her Aunt was silence but her grandmother's hand.
" I came to see how you were doing and wondering why you did not feel the need to visit me and tell me you were all right."
Runa could tell her grandmother was concerned she could be cold and calculating but she did care.
" I didn't think I needed to. But I'm sorry if I worried you."
" That's all right but please next time tell me so I can greet you."
Runa only mumbled and looked away. Her Aunt coughed to bring the attention back to the reason for the visit.
" Was that the only reason you came?"
'I doubt it was the reason at all. Her worry yea right!'
Her grandmother only smiled at her while her Aunt just glared at her. For some unknown reason she seemed to have it in for her and she didn't know why.
" No I came to invite you over Saturday for tea. I haven't seen you in a while and thought it would be nice to see how you have been doing."
Runa glanced back and forth between the two women. She really was suspicious now but she was curious too. Curiosity got the better of her. " Sure why not what time?"
Her Grandmother smiled her eyes shinning with victory and she could have sworn she looked smug.
Shigure was sitting down drinking coffee and reading the paper he still had a few minutes before the meeting and he needed to relax.
" Uh- Shigure?"
" Hmmm?"
He was still reading the paper so Tooru tried again.
" Shigure do you-uh-do I-um."
" Yes Tooru?"
He shifted the paper and peered around it to find Tooru standing in the middle of the room dressed in a pale pink kimono with white Sakura petals stitched on it and a dark pink sash around her waist. Her hair was pulled up and held in place by two white chopsticks she had on no make-up save for some light pink eye shadow.
" Um-Shigure?"
Tooru was fidgeting she wasn't sure if he liked it or not. Maybe she should change into something else but Uo and Sakai had said this one looked best on her and even Ayame had said it looked good.
" Maybe I should go cha-"
"No! You look wonderful Tooru. I'm sure Yuki will like it."
A small blush began to creep into her cheeks at the mention of his name. And no sooner had he said that then Yuki walked into the room.
Yuki knew he was taking much too long dressing but he wanted to look nice for Tooru but nothing he had looked good and he had tried everything on well almost there was still the outfit his brother had given him. Sighing he picked up the pale gray violet material and began to dress. He looked himself over before making his way down stairs. He stopped at the door when he heard Shigure talking to Tooru. He growled at what he inu was saying and was walking in to slug him when all thoughts flew from his head except how gorgeous Tooru looked standing there.
" Do I look all right?"
Yuki couldn't say anything so he just nodded his eyes traveling up and down Tooru's body before resting on her face.
" Shouldn't you two be going the festival has probably already started?"
" Oh! Right."
Tooru smiled as she grabbed Yuki's hand and rushed out the door.
" Don't do anything I wouldn't do!"
Shigure yelled after Yuki but he was still too much in a daze to hear his teasing comment.
Runa yawed and stretched again she was running on four hours of sleep, which normally wasn't so bad but that's all she had in the last two days and it was starting to wear her down.
She got out of the cab and walked up the path to the Sakura compound. She never really liked this place it always gave her the chills no matter how beautiful it looked she knew it held a great deal of secrets and darkness.
" Quit stalling you are not ten your twenty-one."
She muttered as she squared her shoulders taking a deep breath to steady herself.
Shigure knew he was stalling but he wasn't sure why no he knew why. It was because he didn't want to see her again he had hoped that the contract would have been broken over the years but neither family broke it.
" Shigure quit stalling."
He glanced up to see Hatori standing in the doorframe. Sighing he stood up and walked outside with Hatori and climbed in the car.
Hatori was watching his friend and cousin out of the corner of his eye he knew that Shigure was nervous but it seemed like he didn't want this. Though who could blame him he was in a contract with a family who didn't know about the curse. When Akito had learned of this he had been outraged and demanded it called off, however, much to Shigure's dismay him and Akito were told that it was a deal made before Akito it was made by his grandfather, the former head of the household. Even though he hated it Akito could do nothing about it, but he doubted it would end there.
The car ride there was nothing but silence and tension. When they did get there he noticed the inu kept glancing to the side like he wanted to run. Hatori shook his head.
Runa had dressed in a traditional kimono, it was a pale green with dark green and black dragons stitched on it, she had a dark forest green sash wrapped around her waist and her hair was pulled into a loose bun held up by a black sash. She was currently kneeling on the floor drinking tea with her grandmother. The silence was killing not to mention her feet had fallen asleep she never was able to do this; she didn't have the patience.
Her grandmother gazed over at her granddaughter and smiled she knew it was taking her everything she had to sit there in that restricting kimono and sit in silence. She watched as she tapped her foot trying to regain feeling.
They both gazed up, their Aunt and cousin were walking in both dressed in a kimono. As usual her cousin looked breathtaking making Runa wish she never agreed to this. Her cousin took her place next to Runa while the mother stood.
" We're going to the Sakura festival did you want to come?"
" No thanks."
She didn't even glance at her cousin instead she turned back towards her grandmother.
" I really have to go. It was nice to talk to you again."
" But my dear we have hardly started yet."
Runa just looked at her biting her cheek to stop what she was about to say from spilling from her lips.
' Oy if I have to sit here in silence in this dam kimono for another two hours I'm going to kill someone!'
She noticed her Aunt kept gazing at the door then back to her cousin. It was making her even more agitated than before. She suddenly heard voice then footsteps heading towards them. Something in her brain clicked and she glared at her grandmother.
'Why that sneaky snake.'
" It was lovely seeing you again but I have to go. Good-bye."
With out waiting for a response she stood up and grimaced at blood rushed back into her dead feet causing them to tingle severely. After a second she turned around and went out the back door and onto the porch just as Shigure and Hatori came in.
Shigure gazed up at the gates, it had been a long time since he had come here and he was still nervous. They were greeted by a young woman with pale blond hair wearing a deep blue kimono with sea horses on it. Shigure grinned at Hatori but he just looked away.
"Oh! Gomen.I didn't- I wasn't watching where I was going."
She bowed slightly lifted her gaze up to them, she had startling blue eyes and very creamy white skin.
" Oh no it was our fault."
She regarded them for a moment her eyes searching their faces then her eyes lit up in recognition and she smiled.
Hatori almost lost it she looked like a goddess standing there even more so now that she was smiling. He had to force himself to breath again.
" Shigure-san, Hatori-san!"
They both stared at her for a moment but it was Shigure who recognized her first.
" Evie?"
The blonde smiled even more her head bobbing up and down making her hair cascade around her shoulders.
Hatori stood there unable to believe his eyes. This couldn't have been the same clumsy, shy, scrawny girl he remembered, could it?
" How have you been? I heard you began a writer Shigure-san."
" I'm fine, thank you. Yes I have the life of a great novelist."
" What kind of books do you write no one would tell me they all just kind of coughed and looked away. I wonder why?"
'So much like Tooru, I can't resist.'
" Hmm.it's hard to put into words though I think if you would let me, I could show you."
Evie pondered this for a second before smiling and nodding her head yes.
" Shigure."
"Oh! I must be keeping you, Gomen. It was nice to see you both."
She smiled and bowed before heading out of the gates. Shigure watched as Hatori's gazed seemed to follower her out.
They were shown to the tearoom by a very regal looking woman in white robes, she knocked on the door before opening it. His gaze scanned the room to find an older woman sitting down drinking tea while a younger girl with brown hair looked as though she was going to go after someone but was stopped by a middle aged woman's hand. He looked in the direction the young girl was staring and saw the last of a light green kimono and red hair disappear around the bend.
Runa could feel the tears pricking at the corners of her eyes. The tingling in her feet had now erupted into something much worse and her legs had decided at that moment to cramp up on her causing her to sink to the ground.
' Dam it! That smarts.'
She rubbed her legs hopping to get rid of the cramp and quicken the blood flow but it wasn't working.
" Hello Shigure-san."
He turned towards the older woman she had always made him feel like a little kid getting caught doing something he shouldn't have, which he usually was but that wasn't the point.
" Hello."
He bowed slightly and waited for her to talk. What she said surprised him it even surprised Hatori and that was hard to do.
" If you hurry you might be able to caught my wandering wolf. I believe she is near the pond by the willow tree perhaps?"
Shigure walked out the door wondering what exactly she was up to. He could hear her asking Hatori to sit and have some tea with her.
He soon found her; she was sitting under the willow tree her light green kimono hiked up to her thighs. Those shapely creamy white thighs that were attached to legs that went on for miles. He let his gaze travel up her curvy hips to chest and slender neck where her face was hidden under a curtain of red hair. She looked to be massaging her feet and legs.
' Can't let her just sit there she might me hurt.'
Runa shifted the kimono again it was really cutting off her breathing and it was too restricting. She pulled her feet out in front of her and was massaging her calf when another set of hands began to massage her foot.
" Wh-"
What ever she was going to say because she forgot it when her eyes came up to gaze into a pair of deep brown ones. She sat there for a few more seconds while he just smiled at her and continued to massage her foot. She felt the heat pool into her stomach and her face.
Shigure had to control himself to just keep his hands on her feet and ankles but the way she was looking at him he didn't think he could stop himself if he did go past her knees.
" Still can't sit through a tea ceremony and I though I taught you better than that."
The light clicked on in her eyes and the blush deepen but she smiled and lunged forward. Too late to try and avoid it or stop her he waited for the tell tale poof, but it never came.
He looked up to see Runa was hugging him a smile on her red face.
" Shigure! What are you doing here? Did you ever become a writer like you wanted? Do you still have an infatuation with schoolgirls? Are you still with Ana? What about Ayame and Hatori are they with you? Did you ever get that picture I sent you? Is Hatori still with Kahana? Are you staying long? What are-"
Shigure clamped a hand over her mouth resisting the urge to use his lips to shut her up. He was still in shock over the fact he hadn't changed into a dog and here she was bombarding him with a thousand questions.
Runa blushed when she realized what she was doing that and she was straddling him her kimono riding up her thighs. Jumping off quickly she straighten up and sat down waiting for him to talk.
Shigure got up and straighten his clothes then glanced at Runa she was trying to hide her smile but failing and he could tell she was impertinent because she kept shifting her bottom back and forth over her feet. And all he could think about was how lucky her feet were to be pressed against her round little bottom.
" Shigure."
He had to laugh at her she was still acting like the six year old he had first met.
" Try one question at a time."
She smiled and jumped up falling next to him with a plop.
" What are you doing here?"
' Ah how to answer that question.'
" I came with Hatori he was looking for your sister Evie."
"Evie went to the festival you probably just missed her. Hmm? Oh I know!"
She laughed jumping up and grabbing his hand pulling him with her while her other hand held up her kimono. They raced back towards the house and stopped outside the door panting.
Hatori had stopped what he was saying and turned to see the tow come in. Runa looked stunning and he could Shigure thought so too with the way he was looking at her. She looked up and spotted him and squealed like a little kid.
"Hari!"
She let go of Shigure and hurled herself at Hatori knocking him backwards and surprising everyone in the room save her grandmother who only smile knowingly.
" Hello Runa."
" Runa I think he would like to sit up."
"Hun?"
She looked at her grandmother than at Hatori and flushed climbing off him.
" Shigure told me why you are here."
" And you're not angry?"
She glanced at her grandmother and looked at her funny.
" Why would I be? I think its great!"
Hatori glanced at his cousin to find him avoiding his gaze a slight tint of pink to his cheeks.
Before he could question him though Runa jumped up and pulled him with her and out the door shouting after them.
" See ya later!"
He had to dig his heals into the ground to stop her but it worked.
"Where are we going?"
" To the festival of course."
" Wouldn't you rather go with just Shigure?"
Runa laughed.
" Now why would I do that when I'm trying to help you get Evie."
Hatori glared at the inu who was slinking away from him. He was going to pay for this little white lie.
" Come on hurry up before someone snatched her away from you!"
Runa laughed as she tugged on his hand and pulled him towards the festival.