Mizu-chan's Notes: Haha, wow, this fanfic is getting way out of hand. This is the second to last segment although I had originally planned for it to be the last. Thank you all for the totally awesome reviews!! They make me so insanely happy! This part just completely goes awry from the original Grinch story so don't even try to compare the two anymore, hehe. I hope everyone still enjoys! Criticisms accepted and such! Thanks again, you guys rock!
The Grinch Inside of Me
Shigure's Meddling
Shigure sent a sinister smile to the two boys. They were both deathly pale and he knew he was going to enjoy being the storyteller. The older man cleared his throat and sent Tohru a naughty wink.
"Ah yes, I remember now," he gave a brief nod of realization. "After the Grinch caught Toh Lu," he sent a patronizing smirk towards Yuki and Kyo, "she invited him to her Christmas feast. You see, Toh Lu was the most open and trusting Who in all of Whoville. She knew there was warmth and love somewhere inside the Grinch. The Grinch, however, was hesitant to acquiesce. Could he really throw away years of hating Christmas and hating all Whos for one simple feast and one tiny Who? The sparkle in Toh Lu's eyes answered the question for him. With his cheeks aflame, the Grinch gave a brief nod and Toh Lu squealed in detail. She grasped the Grinchs hand and began prancing down the street. All the Whos out that day stopped in awe, staring at the infamous Grinch calmly walking down the street with a prancing Who latched onto him. The Grinch didn't notice their stares of fear and curiosity. His attention was completely on the warmth of Toh Lu's hand on his. Was this.. could it be… perhaps the grumpy Grinch was falling in love?!"
"Shigure!" yelped Kyo, a flustered look on his face. He could feel the embarrassment heat up his spine as he eyed Tohru nervously. She still seemed oblivious to any underlying meaning to the story of the Grinch. Kyo let out a brief sigh of relief and a snickering Shigure continued.
"The unlikely pair finally made it to Toh Lu's humble abode in the woods. She dragged the Grinch inside the lit-up house. And there! Lying naked on the couch! Covered in rose petals and Christmas holly! Directly underneath a mistletoe was none other then Ne Zo Whomi!!!" Shigure was nearly shouting now, his sole intent to get a rise out of the youngsters in the room.
Tohru's mouth dropped open in complete shock as she sputtered something about Christmas while the space around Yuki suddenly seemed to freeze and become more foreboding then ever. His eyes were narrowed to slits and his fists clenched tightly. Meanwhile Kyo was crying hard from the side-splitting laughter he was suffering from. Shigure nodded briefly, deciding they all reacted accordingly before beginning again.
"'Toh Lu! Wha.. what is that thing doing here?' screeched Ne Zo Whomi, who had quickly jumped up and pulled a fleece blanket around him. His face was a brilliant shade of red which went perfectly with the deep green of the blanket. 'I thought the dinner was just going to be for us?'
Toh Lu gave a brief, sympathetic giggle. 'But don't you think the Grinch deserves a merry Christmas as well?' She seemed not to notice or care about the nudity of Ne Zo.
The Grinch, however, was staring at Ne Zo. A deep, deep stare. A penetrating stare. A stare of utter abandon and lust. Perhaps he was wrong before about loving Toh Lu? Perhaps his childhood bully had truly been his love all along?"
Tohru's brow furrowed with the new plot twist. She hadn't predicted that one at all. The silence on either side of her seemed to show that Yuki and Kyo had been prepared for that part of the story. If she had turned her head to look, she would have seen a whole different story. Both of the young men were sheet white and trembling. They looked at each other from the corner of their eyes, deciding to finally join forces in order to defeat the sadistic Shigure.
"Oh! My, my! Kyo-CHAN! I just heard the bell go off for your delicious cookies!" choked out Yuki. His voice was completely strained as he sent chilling looks toward Kyo.
"How.. how wonderful to p-p-point that out!" shrieked Kyo before he jumped to his feet. "Let's go get them out of the oven! Together! Us three! Yuki, Tohru, and I! Yes, just us!" His words came out sounding like the bad fumblings of script-card reading actor, but Tohru bought it.
She nodded her head sternly, standing up swiftly. "Ah, Shigure-san, we'll be right back to hear the end," she apologized before stepping towards the kitchen.
Yuki leapt to his feet, for once thankful to be working with Kyo. The two nodded briefly to each other before dashing after Tohru into the kitchen. Shigure just gave a simple shrug and chuckled. He reached under the table and pulled out his latest manuscript. Who knew the people in his own home could prove such worthy fodder for a romance novel?
End: Shigure's Meddling
Next Up: Tohru's Resolution
M-C's Notes: Hehe, whaddaya think?