Chapter Six: Shigure's Idea
At school the next morning Tohru was very reluctant to tell her friends what had happened. But by the end of the day they found out. They both sympathized with her however and dropped the subject completely. As she walked home, not work since her grandfather had called her work, and then the school to let her know, that she quit, she puzzled over what she would do about the problem. Kyo was walking with her and suddenly looked back.
"Hey what's eating you?" he asked.
"Oh it's nothing" she looked up smiling, "Oh great now I'm starting to worry Kyo," she thought.
"I thought you had work tonight?"
"Oh I did. But my grandfather told me last night that he would pay for my tuition from now on, so I guess I have to quit my job."
"You guess? Do you want to quit?" he asked.
"Well I don't really know" she looked down, "I haven't really thought about it."
She walked past him now leading the way. He stood there with his hands in his pockets. He shook his head.
"I don't really think she wants to quit" he told himself, "But she's so afraid to stand up to those people that she just goes along with anything they say."
The night before after Tohru had gone to bed, Yuki had told Shigure and Kyo all that had happened at the hotel. He informed them of how belittling her grandfather had been, and not very polite towards him at all. In fact according to Yuki he had seemed like a general in an army the way he was giving her orders.
"The guys sounds like an absolute jerk" Kyo replied, "I wouldn't blame her for being so against seeing them."
"Yes" Shigure nodded, "Our poor sweet flower. Imagine having to go through all that. No wonder she chose to live with her other grandfather."
"I agree" Yuki nodded, "No one would want to live under that sort of treatment."
"Hey Kyo!" Tohru called taking him out of his reverie.
"Huh?" he looked at her.
"I asked what you wanted for dinner tonight?" she looked back at him with concern on her face, "Is there something wrong?"
"No" he shook his head, "Let's decide when we get back, "We need to get home."
"Okay" she smiled.
This time he led the way the rest of the way home. As usual Shigure greeted them at the door. Kyo scowled at him as he walked upstairs to change, while Tohru grinned and said hello. Yuki came home about two hours later and they all sat down to a wonderful meal of salmon and rice, Kyo's choice of course.
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The next morning Tohru started with her chores extra early. Shigure was in his study working on his latest novel. Yuki was in the sitting room working on the schedule for the next few months at school. Kyo was also in the sitting room lifting his weights. Tohru came into the sitting room to dust the furniture.
"How's it going Yuki?" she asked with a smile.
"Very well Miss Honda" he smiled back, "I'm just about finished."
"That's good. Kyo would you like a snack of some kind?"
"Sure" Kyo replied a weight in his left hand.
"How about you Yuki?"
"Okay. I'd love something."
"Don't forget about me," Shigure said with a grin as he entered, he was still wearing his glasses.
"No problem" Tohru smiled again.
Suddenly the doorbell rang.
"Oh I'll get it" Tohru replied walking to the door.
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The others followed her as she went to open it. Outside dressed in very formal looking clothing was Tai Ushida.
"Tai?" she said in surprise, "What are you doing here?"
"I just saw your grandfather recently and he told me that he saw you. He also gave me your address, so I thought I 'd stop by for a little visit."
"Oh well, come on in" she replied closing the door.
Shigure was already at the front. Yuki and Kyo stood behind him.
"Well Yuki and Kyo you already know" she said.
"Yep" Tai grinned, "Good to see you guys again. No broken bones right?"
"Uh no" Yuki replied.
"And this is Shigure Sohma" Tohru said, "He's the one who owns this house."
"It's a pleasure to meet you Mr. Sohma" Tai bowed.
"Welcome, welcome" Shigure bowed his eyes, "Please come sit down and we'll get to know one another better."
They all went back into the sitting room while Tohru fetched some snacks. She was back out in a few minutes to serve them. Yuki and Kyo meanwhile eyed the boy carefully.
"I'm sorry for dropping over unannounced like this" Tai replied.
"Oh no it's all right. Any friend of Tohru's is a friend of ours."
"Thanks. You have a lovely home. Tell me did your wife decorate it?"
They all froze for a moment.
"My wife?"
"Oh I'm sorry, you are married aren't you? I mean Tohru isn't the only girl living here is she?" he raised his eyebrows a bit at the last question.
Shigure looked at the young boy for a second then burst out laughing nervously.
"Of course Tohru isn't the only woman living here. My wife is."
"Shigure!"
"Ah there she is now" Shigure stood up.
He walked over to the front door and brought his editor Mii back in.
"Look darling we have company" Shigure replied.
"Shigure what?" Mii said confused.
"Please excuse us for a moment will you Mr. Ushida" Shigure replied with a grin, "I have to talk to my wife for a minute."
He pulled Mii into the kitchen. Yuki and Kyo just stared ahead with blank faces while Tohru froze completely.
********************************************************
"Shigure what is going on?" she asked him, "I thought you would have those pages done today?"
"I will I promise, but Mii I need you to do me a big favor" he said.
"And what is that?"
"Pretend to be my wife."
"Your what!"
"Shh Mii. Please pretend to be my wife just for today and I promise to deliver to you tomorrow even more pages then I had originally intended."
"Oh" she thought, "All right Shigure you got a deal" she held out her hand to shake his, "What do I got to do?"
"Just put on that apron and behave like a typical wife would" Shigure replied.
Shigure exited the kitchen and sat back down at the table.
"I'm sorry about that, we had some grownup things to discuss."
"That's all right" Tai smiled.
"What is he doing?" Kyo thought.
"He's making a complete fool of his editor" Yuki said to himself.
"It's awful interesting seeing you two guys again" Tai replied, "Do you live here as well?"
"Uh yes as a matter of fact they do" Shigure answered, "You see Yuki is my cousin, and Kyo is my son."
"Your son?" Kyo said in a surprise.
Tai looked at him confused.
"I mean" Kyo's face became red, "Of course I'm your son, but I told you not to blab it to the whole world. It's so embarrassing being your son."
"Now now Kyo" Mii replied coming in, "That's no way to talk to your father."
Yuki stared in audacity at the play forming before him.
"First Shigure is married?" he thought, "Now Kyo is his son? What's next?"
"I see. So you must have known Kyo a long time huh Tohru? Your mom knew these people. Their her friends."
"Oh how did you know that?" Tohru asked.
"When I talked to your grandparents they said your other grandfather said that you were staying with one of your mom's friends family" Tai answered.
"That's right. Mii and I both knew Kyoko. I mean I was younger than she was, but my wife is older than I am" Shigure smiled.
"Now Shigure" Mii elbowed him, "Don't you be giving away my age."
"To answer your question Tai, yes I've known Kyo and Yuki a long time."
"You might even say that Tohru and our Kyo are an item even," Shigure added.
"What?" Yuki and Kyo exclaimed.
"Oh come on you two it's no mystery. After all you did grow up together it's only natural that this would happen. Personally she was either going to end up with Yuki or Kyo. I'm so proud it was my son."
Tohru's face was completely red now with embarrassment. Tai had a slight frown on his face. Yuki and Kyo stared angrily at their cousin, poised in their seats to spring at him any moment.
"Excuse me dad" Kyo replied sarcastically, "Can I talk to you in private?"
"Well okay" Shigure grinned sheepishly following the fuming Kyo.
"So is it true Tohru?" Tai asked, "Are you really dating him?"
Tohru at first didn't know what to say.
"Well uh, Kyo and I are very close" she began, "If I don't tell him then he won't leave" she thought, "And I know why he is here."
Kyo and Shigure came back into the room.
"Yes Tai" she nodded, "Kyo and I are seeing each other."
Everyone's mouth dropped open. Tai just stared at her determined face and sighed.
"I understand."
"Well" Mii replied, "My husband and I have some work to do so if you kids will excuse us. Come on honey, got to finish that book!"
"Oh right darling!" Shigure called back standing up and leaving the four teens alone.
"Oh we're running out of tea" Tohru replied getting up, "Wait here, I'll go get some more."
********************************************************
The room was silent for a few minutes. The three boys stared at each other. Tai was the first to speak.
"You know Kyo, you're a lucky guy. Tohru is one of a kind."
"Yea tell me about it" Kyo nodded.
Yuki stared angrily at his cousin.
"What's your problem?" Kyo shouted.
"Nothing" Yuki shook his head, "Nothing important anyway. I just didn't know that you and Miss Honda were an item that's all."
"Well we" Kyo stuttered, "It just happened! It's none of your business anyway!"
Tai watched the argument with great interest. When Tohru came back into the sitting room, he rose to leave. She said a quick goodbye as he bowed one last time. Yuki offered to walk him to the door. Tohru and Kyo just sat at the table, neither one of them able to look the other in the eye.
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"Well thanks for the interesting visit" Tai said, "I'm glad to see that Tohru lives in such a healthy environment. There is one thing that does concern me though."
"What's that?" Yuki asked.
"The idea of her living in a house with two guys who are in love with her, that's got to be difficult."
"I beg your pardon?"
"Oh come on I was watching. You are totally jealous of your cousin. It doesn't really matter though. Neither one of you are suitable enough for her."
"What did you say?"
Tai turned around and faced him.
"Her grandparents have someone else in mind for her. And it isn't the Sohma family. Just so you know" Tai walked out the door, "She won't be your cousins for long. You can tell him that I said that too" Yuki slammed the door behind him.
"That guy is a jerk," Yuki said out loud.
*********************************************************
He walked back into the sitting room where Tohru and Kyo were in deep conversation.
"By why did you agree with Shigure's silly idea?" Kyo asked.
"Because Kyo, I know why he showed up today. My grandparents sent him to make sure that I am all right. That I am living in a good environment. I also know that they are probably trying to set me up with him."
"Miss Honda already knows?" Yuki thought as he sat down.
"They tried to work an arranged marriage with my mom once. That was what they fought about the first time they stopped talking to each other. My mom married my father against their wishes."
"You said the first time Miss Honda" Yuki replied, "What was the reason for the second time."
"Oh well, after my father died, my mom and I started seeing them again. Soon they wanted her to come live back home with them. But she refused. She got into this terrible argument with my grandfather, and then she stopped talking to them. It's kind of sad really. She never got the chance to talk to them again before she died. I thought that if I'd at least tried to hear them out, that in someway I could make up for that. But they are trying to do exactly what my mom warned me about. I'm sorry Kyo, for using you" she turned to the orange haired boy, "But I didn't know how else to get rid of him. I like him as a friend, and I know now he'll go back to my grandparents and they will drop it. At least I hope they will."
"So I guess from now on when that guys around I got to pretend I'm your boyfriend?"
"Hopefully he won't come back," Tohru said.
"I wouldn't be so sure about that Miss Honda" Yuki replied, "Despite the news about yours and the stupid cats apparent relationship, he's determined to win."
"What a stubborn idiot" Kyo said.
"It takes one to know one" Yuki replied back.
"Shut up rat boy!" Kyo shouted.
"What's going on in here?" Shigure popped his head in, "Are you two still arguing over Tohru?"
"That's it!" Kyo yelled, "You're the one who came up with this crazy little scheme you damn dog!"
"Yes Shigure I have to agree with Kyo" Yuki added, "What was all that mess."
"Oh" Shigure sighed, "I was just having a bit of fun. And here I was just bringing a little culture into our dull lives."
"Culture? What the hell kind of culture is that!"
"Classic culture."
"Who needs it!"
Yuki just placed his hand on his forehead.
"Yoo hoo! Is anyone home!"
Shigure and Kyo stopped arguing long enough to see Ayame poke his head through the front door.
"Well I was in the neighborhood and thought I drop by" he said followed by his usual annoying laugh.
"And I thought this day couldn't get any worse" Yuki shook his head, "I guess I was wrong."
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Authors Note:
Next Chapter: New Year's Eve Party
The Miyoshi family are having a late New Year's party and Tohru, Yuki, and Kyo have been invited. In this chapter you will see just what kind of family Tohru's mother had. Another encounter with Tai also puts the two Sohma's against her twin cousins. See you next time!!
At school the next morning Tohru was very reluctant to tell her friends what had happened. But by the end of the day they found out. They both sympathized with her however and dropped the subject completely. As she walked home, not work since her grandfather had called her work, and then the school to let her know, that she quit, she puzzled over what she would do about the problem. Kyo was walking with her and suddenly looked back.
"Hey what's eating you?" he asked.
"Oh it's nothing" she looked up smiling, "Oh great now I'm starting to worry Kyo," she thought.
"I thought you had work tonight?"
"Oh I did. But my grandfather told me last night that he would pay for my tuition from now on, so I guess I have to quit my job."
"You guess? Do you want to quit?" he asked.
"Well I don't really know" she looked down, "I haven't really thought about it."
She walked past him now leading the way. He stood there with his hands in his pockets. He shook his head.
"I don't really think she wants to quit" he told himself, "But she's so afraid to stand up to those people that she just goes along with anything they say."
The night before after Tohru had gone to bed, Yuki had told Shigure and Kyo all that had happened at the hotel. He informed them of how belittling her grandfather had been, and not very polite towards him at all. In fact according to Yuki he had seemed like a general in an army the way he was giving her orders.
"The guys sounds like an absolute jerk" Kyo replied, "I wouldn't blame her for being so against seeing them."
"Yes" Shigure nodded, "Our poor sweet flower. Imagine having to go through all that. No wonder she chose to live with her other grandfather."
"I agree" Yuki nodded, "No one would want to live under that sort of treatment."
"Hey Kyo!" Tohru called taking him out of his reverie.
"Huh?" he looked at her.
"I asked what you wanted for dinner tonight?" she looked back at him with concern on her face, "Is there something wrong?"
"No" he shook his head, "Let's decide when we get back, "We need to get home."
"Okay" she smiled.
This time he led the way the rest of the way home. As usual Shigure greeted them at the door. Kyo scowled at him as he walked upstairs to change, while Tohru grinned and said hello. Yuki came home about two hours later and they all sat down to a wonderful meal of salmon and rice, Kyo's choice of course.
*******************************************************
The next morning Tohru started with her chores extra early. Shigure was in his study working on his latest novel. Yuki was in the sitting room working on the schedule for the next few months at school. Kyo was also in the sitting room lifting his weights. Tohru came into the sitting room to dust the furniture.
"How's it going Yuki?" she asked with a smile.
"Very well Miss Honda" he smiled back, "I'm just about finished."
"That's good. Kyo would you like a snack of some kind?"
"Sure" Kyo replied a weight in his left hand.
"How about you Yuki?"
"Okay. I'd love something."
"Don't forget about me," Shigure said with a grin as he entered, he was still wearing his glasses.
"No problem" Tohru smiled again.
Suddenly the doorbell rang.
"Oh I'll get it" Tohru replied walking to the door.
**********************************************************
The others followed her as she went to open it. Outside dressed in very formal looking clothing was Tai Ushida.
"Tai?" she said in surprise, "What are you doing here?"
"I just saw your grandfather recently and he told me that he saw you. He also gave me your address, so I thought I 'd stop by for a little visit."
"Oh well, come on in" she replied closing the door.
Shigure was already at the front. Yuki and Kyo stood behind him.
"Well Yuki and Kyo you already know" she said.
"Yep" Tai grinned, "Good to see you guys again. No broken bones right?"
"Uh no" Yuki replied.
"And this is Shigure Sohma" Tohru said, "He's the one who owns this house."
"It's a pleasure to meet you Mr. Sohma" Tai bowed.
"Welcome, welcome" Shigure bowed his eyes, "Please come sit down and we'll get to know one another better."
They all went back into the sitting room while Tohru fetched some snacks. She was back out in a few minutes to serve them. Yuki and Kyo meanwhile eyed the boy carefully.
"I'm sorry for dropping over unannounced like this" Tai replied.
"Oh no it's all right. Any friend of Tohru's is a friend of ours."
"Thanks. You have a lovely home. Tell me did your wife decorate it?"
They all froze for a moment.
"My wife?"
"Oh I'm sorry, you are married aren't you? I mean Tohru isn't the only girl living here is she?" he raised his eyebrows a bit at the last question.
Shigure looked at the young boy for a second then burst out laughing nervously.
"Of course Tohru isn't the only woman living here. My wife is."
"Shigure!"
"Ah there she is now" Shigure stood up.
He walked over to the front door and brought his editor Mii back in.
"Look darling we have company" Shigure replied.
"Shigure what?" Mii said confused.
"Please excuse us for a moment will you Mr. Ushida" Shigure replied with a grin, "I have to talk to my wife for a minute."
He pulled Mii into the kitchen. Yuki and Kyo just stared ahead with blank faces while Tohru froze completely.
********************************************************
"Shigure what is going on?" she asked him, "I thought you would have those pages done today?"
"I will I promise, but Mii I need you to do me a big favor" he said.
"And what is that?"
"Pretend to be my wife."
"Your what!"
"Shh Mii. Please pretend to be my wife just for today and I promise to deliver to you tomorrow even more pages then I had originally intended."
"Oh" she thought, "All right Shigure you got a deal" she held out her hand to shake his, "What do I got to do?"
"Just put on that apron and behave like a typical wife would" Shigure replied.
Shigure exited the kitchen and sat back down at the table.
"I'm sorry about that, we had some grownup things to discuss."
"That's all right" Tai smiled.
"What is he doing?" Kyo thought.
"He's making a complete fool of his editor" Yuki said to himself.
"It's awful interesting seeing you two guys again" Tai replied, "Do you live here as well?"
"Uh yes as a matter of fact they do" Shigure answered, "You see Yuki is my cousin, and Kyo is my son."
"Your son?" Kyo said in a surprise.
Tai looked at him confused.
"I mean" Kyo's face became red, "Of course I'm your son, but I told you not to blab it to the whole world. It's so embarrassing being your son."
"Now now Kyo" Mii replied coming in, "That's no way to talk to your father."
Yuki stared in audacity at the play forming before him.
"First Shigure is married?" he thought, "Now Kyo is his son? What's next?"
"I see. So you must have known Kyo a long time huh Tohru? Your mom knew these people. Their her friends."
"Oh how did you know that?" Tohru asked.
"When I talked to your grandparents they said your other grandfather said that you were staying with one of your mom's friends family" Tai answered.
"That's right. Mii and I both knew Kyoko. I mean I was younger than she was, but my wife is older than I am" Shigure smiled.
"Now Shigure" Mii elbowed him, "Don't you be giving away my age."
"To answer your question Tai, yes I've known Kyo and Yuki a long time."
"You might even say that Tohru and our Kyo are an item even," Shigure added.
"What?" Yuki and Kyo exclaimed.
"Oh come on you two it's no mystery. After all you did grow up together it's only natural that this would happen. Personally she was either going to end up with Yuki or Kyo. I'm so proud it was my son."
Tohru's face was completely red now with embarrassment. Tai had a slight frown on his face. Yuki and Kyo stared angrily at their cousin, poised in their seats to spring at him any moment.
"Excuse me dad" Kyo replied sarcastically, "Can I talk to you in private?"
"Well okay" Shigure grinned sheepishly following the fuming Kyo.
"So is it true Tohru?" Tai asked, "Are you really dating him?"
Tohru at first didn't know what to say.
"Well uh, Kyo and I are very close" she began, "If I don't tell him then he won't leave" she thought, "And I know why he is here."
Kyo and Shigure came back into the room.
"Yes Tai" she nodded, "Kyo and I are seeing each other."
Everyone's mouth dropped open. Tai just stared at her determined face and sighed.
"I understand."
"Well" Mii replied, "My husband and I have some work to do so if you kids will excuse us. Come on honey, got to finish that book!"
"Oh right darling!" Shigure called back standing up and leaving the four teens alone.
"Oh we're running out of tea" Tohru replied getting up, "Wait here, I'll go get some more."
********************************************************
The room was silent for a few minutes. The three boys stared at each other. Tai was the first to speak.
"You know Kyo, you're a lucky guy. Tohru is one of a kind."
"Yea tell me about it" Kyo nodded.
Yuki stared angrily at his cousin.
"What's your problem?" Kyo shouted.
"Nothing" Yuki shook his head, "Nothing important anyway. I just didn't know that you and Miss Honda were an item that's all."
"Well we" Kyo stuttered, "It just happened! It's none of your business anyway!"
Tai watched the argument with great interest. When Tohru came back into the sitting room, he rose to leave. She said a quick goodbye as he bowed one last time. Yuki offered to walk him to the door. Tohru and Kyo just sat at the table, neither one of them able to look the other in the eye.
******************************************************
"Well thanks for the interesting visit" Tai said, "I'm glad to see that Tohru lives in such a healthy environment. There is one thing that does concern me though."
"What's that?" Yuki asked.
"The idea of her living in a house with two guys who are in love with her, that's got to be difficult."
"I beg your pardon?"
"Oh come on I was watching. You are totally jealous of your cousin. It doesn't really matter though. Neither one of you are suitable enough for her."
"What did you say?"
Tai turned around and faced him.
"Her grandparents have someone else in mind for her. And it isn't the Sohma family. Just so you know" Tai walked out the door, "She won't be your cousins for long. You can tell him that I said that too" Yuki slammed the door behind him.
"That guy is a jerk," Yuki said out loud.
*********************************************************
He walked back into the sitting room where Tohru and Kyo were in deep conversation.
"By why did you agree with Shigure's silly idea?" Kyo asked.
"Because Kyo, I know why he showed up today. My grandparents sent him to make sure that I am all right. That I am living in a good environment. I also know that they are probably trying to set me up with him."
"Miss Honda already knows?" Yuki thought as he sat down.
"They tried to work an arranged marriage with my mom once. That was what they fought about the first time they stopped talking to each other. My mom married my father against their wishes."
"You said the first time Miss Honda" Yuki replied, "What was the reason for the second time."
"Oh well, after my father died, my mom and I started seeing them again. Soon they wanted her to come live back home with them. But she refused. She got into this terrible argument with my grandfather, and then she stopped talking to them. It's kind of sad really. She never got the chance to talk to them again before she died. I thought that if I'd at least tried to hear them out, that in someway I could make up for that. But they are trying to do exactly what my mom warned me about. I'm sorry Kyo, for using you" she turned to the orange haired boy, "But I didn't know how else to get rid of him. I like him as a friend, and I know now he'll go back to my grandparents and they will drop it. At least I hope they will."
"So I guess from now on when that guys around I got to pretend I'm your boyfriend?"
"Hopefully he won't come back," Tohru said.
"I wouldn't be so sure about that Miss Honda" Yuki replied, "Despite the news about yours and the stupid cats apparent relationship, he's determined to win."
"What a stubborn idiot" Kyo said.
"It takes one to know one" Yuki replied back.
"Shut up rat boy!" Kyo shouted.
"What's going on in here?" Shigure popped his head in, "Are you two still arguing over Tohru?"
"That's it!" Kyo yelled, "You're the one who came up with this crazy little scheme you damn dog!"
"Yes Shigure I have to agree with Kyo" Yuki added, "What was all that mess."
"Oh" Shigure sighed, "I was just having a bit of fun. And here I was just bringing a little culture into our dull lives."
"Culture? What the hell kind of culture is that!"
"Classic culture."
"Who needs it!"
Yuki just placed his hand on his forehead.
"Yoo hoo! Is anyone home!"
Shigure and Kyo stopped arguing long enough to see Ayame poke his head through the front door.
"Well I was in the neighborhood and thought I drop by" he said followed by his usual annoying laugh.
"And I thought this day couldn't get any worse" Yuki shook his head, "I guess I was wrong."
**********************************************************
Authors Note:
Next Chapter: New Year's Eve Party
The Miyoshi family are having a late New Year's party and Tohru, Yuki, and Kyo have been invited. In this chapter you will see just what kind of family Tohru's mother had. Another encounter with Tai also puts the two Sohma's against her twin cousins. See you next time!!