A.N.: sorry if you think this chapter was a bit side tracked from the main story... I just had this idea one day and tweaked a few things to make it fit... the is something a bit disturbing that I have learned recently... its kind of a major spoiler for the whole story, but it proves that the anime was totally screwed up and that everything else is either misleading or fits perfectly into the big plot twist. The author is a complete genius though, because I'm sure every single person who has either watched or read the story was totally fooled. If I tell you the big spoiler it will do exactly that—it will spoil it for ya! I heard this from my friend who was reading the very late chapters like 97-100 or something really in the future—I was freaked out when she told me like "you've got to be kidding me!!" I yelled multiple times and there were some curses in there too... and I don't really curse. This one's big guys, so get ready for it.... and then I said "no wonder there are so many books! So its gunna be good! Eventually it will become a lot deeper than the fluffy cute stuff... if you want a clue—see book 3 pg 113-123. It's a bit confusing, but its really cool if ya know! You could always email me if you really really want to know what it is, or I'm sure you could search on the Internet for spoilers or something. I almost forgot the most important thing... it's got to do with Akito. Okay! That's all you'll get from me for now! Please read my story and do some searching if ya want! Don't forget to review!! CJD

Disclaimer: This story is 100 mine, but the characters and curse belong to the great great creator of Fruits Basket!!

Chapter 9

She walked down the street towards Ayame's shop. It was not the store she wanted to go to, but it was the owner she wanted to see. He was perfect. For some reason, she was always captivated by him. There was an amazing aura that surrounded him. One that made anyone feel safe in his arms. He might act like a goofball, but when he was serious about something, he became a different person. All of these things made her feel as if she needed him. She needed his comfort, his warmth. One look into his deep golden eyes made her melt.

Right now, she was a little sad over losing something she's held onto for so long, but recently, it was slipping away. She had felt this, so subconsciously she began moving on. For some reason, her heart took shelter with Ayame. Now, now that she was free, now that it had slipped away, she decided to reach out to Ayame.

The shop was closed, but the door was unlocked. He was probably around somewhere, working on some piece of clothes or something, so she decided to look in the back room of the shop.

"Where closed right now, we open tomorrow at- Kagura?" He looked up and saw her standing there. There was a look of confusion as to why his cousin, who he hadn't seen since New Years would be right here, in his shop.

"What are you doing here?" He asked, standing. She lost it, her grief took her and she ran for comfort in his arms. Ayame was quite startled by this, but felt good, hugging someone, even if he was in love with another.

"I'm sorry Ayame. I just needed to hold someone. I don't want to be alone. Kyo and I- we broke up." She began sobbing, and he held her tighter and tried to help her feel better.

"I'm so sorry Kagura." Her knees were shaking, and he figured he'd relieve her from standing, so he took her in his arms and walked over to sit. He did, and held her to him, still trying to make the sobbing cease. It did after a few minutes.

"Thank you Ayame. I'm sorry to come running to you like this, but I didn't know where else I could go." "It's all right, my door is always open to people in need, and especially those I can hug." He wrapped his arms around her, and she felt so safe in his arms.

"You know what you need to help you get over this Kagura? You need a boyfriend! Someone who you can show off to Kyo, and make him really jealous!" Ayame giggled like a schoolgirl at what was going on in his imagination. He thought about Kagura arm in arm with some hot guy that she found at her college, and Kyo watching them, and getting mad like he usually does. Ayame was still chuckling when Kagura looked up at him from where she sat in his lap.

"You know, I have the perfect guy in mind to do that with." Ayame was confused, and all of a sudden she reached up and started kissing him on the lips. He was totally surprised, and trying to break away, when suddenly the door burst open.

"Aya! Look who came to pay you a visi-" Shigure's sing song voice stopped singing when he saw what was going on. Ayame broke away and saw the pain in his best friend's eyes before he ran out. "Shigure!" he tried to get up to chase after him, but Kagura was still in his lap. "Let him go Ayame, you don't need him. You have me now." She said, trying to pull him down again for another kiss. She was incredibly strong but Ayame was a man, and was stronger.

"No Kagura! I'm sorry. I didn't mean me. I don't feel the same way you do. I'm sorry, I love someone else." He stood holding her so she wouldn't fall, and placed her on her feet. He was about to run after Shigure, but Kagura took hold of him.

"What is it with everyone I love?! They always love someone else! Shit!" She was crying again now and fell to her knees. Ayame knelt to comfort her. "Kagura, don't worry. There are a ton of guys who would give their right hands just to be acknowledged by a girl as pretty as you. I would be all over you, but my heart belongs to another." He said. "I still love you as a cousin, and I'll always be there for you, just not in that way." He gave her a soft smile and she stopped crying.

"Okay. Thanks Ayame. I'm sorry for doing this to you. See ya later." She gave the guy she loved and lost a kiss on the cheek for the second time today. Ayame smiled and jumped up to run after Shigure. Kagura caught a glimpse of silver hair flying out the door as she stood.

Shigure was walking about half way back to his house when Ayame caught up to him, breathless and pink in the face. "Shi-gure –huff- wait-huff- wait up!" He gasped, as he grabbed Shigure's shoulder. "Listen to me!" Shigure kept walking.

"Shut up! I don't even know why I'm so pissed! Dammit Ayame!" Shigure stopped walking, balled his fists and put his head down.

"Please let me explain! Kagura came to me and broke down! I picked her up off the floor and tried to comfort her! I told her she'd get over it and get another boyfriend and make Kyo jealous. She thought I was talking about me being her boyfriend and attacked me! I was trying to get away, but I couldn't and then you came in. I'm sorry. I don't want you getting the wrong idea! I'm so sorry." Ayame was still out of breath, and talking really fast didn't help. He fell to his knees, head bowed and trying to catch his breath.

Shigure turned around. He started laughing. Ayame was totally confused. "Ha ha! Aya I'm sorry, I'm just so confused as to why we're acting like an old married couple!" Shigure took a seat in front of Ayame, watching him like a child. Ayame caught his breath and sat too. His face was still pink.

"Shigure, I would have taken Kagura's offer, but you see I'm in love with someone." He said. "Oh, so you're in love eh? With who? Do I know this person? Boy I feel bad for them, having to put up with a child like you." Shigure smiled. "As a matter of fact, I think I'm in love with someone too. See, I wanted to see this person today and hang out, but I got frightened when they were in the arms of another. I was scared that they didn't love me as I loved them, but I was a fool."

"Well, I do feel bad for the person who fell in love with a child like me, but you aren't the average adult either!" Ayame chuckled.

They were so happy that they had the opportunity to tell each other their feelings and get everything out in the open. They had been hanging out often recently, each time being the perfect opportunity to get their feelings out in the open, and each time, they were too nervous, and awkward silences filled the room.

Shigure leaned forward and ran a thumb over Ayame's cheek, where a blush was quickly forming. "I love you." He said. Ayame did the same, and closed the distance between them. Two very handsome men sting on the sidewalk talking was pretty strange, but it got even stranger when they started kissing. Neither noticed the onlookers, but there were many. The women were blushing because the guys were "So cute!"

All's well that ends well? I guess—at least for Shigure and Ayame! Yay! Sorry to do this to Kagura, but she'll still find someone!! I hope it's someone cool... I don't know yet! The next chapter will be Yuki!!