"So, Tohru, how long has it been since you've come to my little shop?"
Ayame asked, flicking on the lights.
"Oh, I haven't been here since you gave me that pretty white dress." Said Tohru, putting her purse down behind the counter.
"Oh yes!" He said, beaming. "Do you still have it?"
"Yes, but I've never worn it after that day. It's much too pretty to wear all the time. I'm saving it for a special occasion." Tohru said, blushing.
Ayame smiled modestly. "Well, thank you, but I have to say, I've improved greatly since that humble dress, and I simply must see how you look in one of my latest works!"
"Ummm, will we have time for that?" Tohru asked, eyes whirling.
Ayame smiled. "We'll have to see how the day goes!" he said merrily. "I'm off to work on the outfit, you keep an eye on things in here and call me if someone comes in!" he disappeared behind the curtain, and Tohru heard a sewing machine start up. She sighed and started rolling bolts of cloth that were loose, and unpacking a few boxes that lay on the floor. It was about eleven before a customer came in. She was the first of many. By two o'clock, they had made fully four dozen sales, and Ayame had finished the garment. He held up the short, red silk dress for her approval, then wrapped it in a box, ready for pick up.
"Well, Tohru, I don't know about you, but I'm ready for lunch." He said, rubbing his hands together. "Would you run down to that ramen shop and buy one number four, and whatever you want. Here." He handed her some money, and shooed her out the door. She came back a few minutes later, two bowls in her hands and a bag between her teeth. Ayame ran forward to help her. He took the bag and one of the bowls and headed for the back room, but not before flipping the 'out to lunch' sign.
"When is the lady coming for her clothes?" Asked Tohru, sipping at the broth of her noodles.
"Oh, she's coming tomorrow." Ayame said, calmly twirling noodles around his chopsticks. He slurped them and got a little piece of carrot on his nose. He didn't seem to notice, and she was too polite to tell him. "I got you down here to talk to you, that's all. And I could use the company. I hate being in this shop all by myself."
Tohru laughed. "Well, I'm here. What did you want to talk about?" she asked, smiling.
He looked at her. "How do you feel about the soul bond?" He asked seriously.
She smiled a little. "Well, I really can't tell much of a difference. Yuki, Kyo, and I are acting just like we always did, I just get to hug them now."
"Do you wish there could be more?" Ayame asked, watching her closely.
"More?"
"Well, you seem to care about them both." He said. "Would you like to be.closer to them?"
She blushed horribly. "I don't know." She said, looking down. "They're always so nice to me, but.I don't know."
"Tohru, have you ever had a relationship before?" She shook her head. He sighed. "I don't know what to tell you, Tohru, except that they both care for you very much, and I think this 'marriage' is the best thing that ever happened to either of them." He smiled and finished his lunch. "Now. I have a present for you." He said, standing up. He led her over to a curtained alcove and pushed her in. "Now, put on the dress you find in there. Consider it your wedding present."
"Um, Ayame, where's the zipper?" she asked, then "Never mind. I found it." A few rustles, and she stepped out, blushing. A knee length, black silk sheath hugged her slender form from the breasts down. The dress had no shoulders, but a pair of black silk arm sheathes went all the way up to the mid upper arms, and came to a point below her wrist on her hands. It was a very mature look for the innocent girl.
"Oh Tohru, you look fantastic!" Ayame gushed.
"Are you sure it's really me?" she asked, blushing hotly. "I've never worn black before, except for when I go see mom."
"Tohru, every woman needs at least one little black dress." Said Ayame, shaking his finger at her. "And if you have a simply FABULOUS clothing designer in your family, willing and able to provide you with designer originals, you don't argue!"
She laughed. "All right. Thank you very much, Ayame, it's beautiful." She said, stroking the sleeves.
"You're very welcome, little sister." Said Ayame, smiling as she disappeared into the back room and removed the dress. She came back out, the dress over her arm. He took the dress and put it in a white box, wrapped in tissue paper. "Now, Tohru, you said something about going to school?"
"Yes, I want to continue my education. I was hoping to go for pediatrician. I love kids, and I'd like to work with them." She said, gathering up the bowls and trash from lunch.
"How are you going to pay for it?" he asked.
"Well, there's scholarships I can apply for, and Yuki offered to help me pay, but that's so much money, and I just wouldn't feel comfortable taking it from him." She said.
"How would you feel about a job?" he asked, frowning thoughtfully. "I haven't told Yuki about any of my business venues besides this shop, but I have commissions from several department stores. I supply them with original designs, for a flat fee and a percentage of the profits. It's doing quite well. One of my friends wants to do a series of shows here in town with my work, and he needs models. It's a six-month engagement, and it pays very well. Would you consider it?"
"Me? A model?" she said, hair frizzing. "I'm not the type of person to be a model!"
"Quite the contrary, Tohru, you're perfect for my newest line. The sweet, innocent dress I made for you three years ago just sparked the line. I'm calling it the TS line, in your honor. Who better than the person it's based on to model it?"
"If you think I can do it." She said, blushing.
"So you'll do it?" He asked, beaming.
"I guess." She squealed when he swept her up in a big hug. "Thank you little sister! I'll go call my friend right now!" he said, dancing off. "Open the shop for me, will you?" He said, disappearing.
* * *
Yuki called out for Tohru as he entered the mouth of Hell. Otherwise known as Ayame's shop. He was relieved when she stepped out to greet him still dressed in the clothing she had come in.
"Hello, Miss Honda." He said, smiling.
"Yuki! Did you finish the family business already?" She asked, rolling a length of fabric that she had just cut a yard from.
"Yes. It was a fairly minor matter, easily taken care of." He sighed. "I still don't know why they couldn't do it themselves." He smiled again, dismissing it. "Now, what did you do all day?"
"Oh, it was lots of fun. I helped some customers, and Ayame and I had lunch." She giggled. "Don't tell him, but he got a little bit of the ramen on his nose."
Yuki smirked. "Is it still there?"
"I think so." She said, giggling again.
"Tohru, did I hear a customer?" Ayame asked, coming to the front of the store. His eyes lit up when he saw Yuki, and he rushed forward. "YUKI! So good of you to stop by!" he said, beaming. Indeed, he still had that little piece of orange stuck to his nose.
It took everything Yuki had not to laugh. "Hello." He said, coolly.
"Yuki, you simply MUST see what I gave Tohru! It's simply divine on her!" Said Ayame, pushing her to the back of the shop. "Go put it on, Tohru, and show him!"
"But." Tohru said, eyes going white.
"You mean you don't like it?" Ayame asked, lower lip starting to quiver. "I thought you liked it, but if you don't want to be seen in it."
"No! It's alright, I'll go put it on right now!" Tohru said, running for the back of the shop. Ayame's tearful look instantly vanished.
"You have no shame." Yuki growled. Then he sighed. "What's the shop next door?"
Ayame looked puzzled. "It's just a little family drug store."
"I see." Said Yuki. "I'll be right back." He disappeared out the door, just as Tohru reappeared, once again wearing the black dress.
"Where'd Yuki go?" She asked, blushing.
"Don't worry, Tohru, he just had to.get something." Said Ayame, looking annoyed. "Though what he could possibly need that would draw him away from here is beyond me." He fell silent as Yuki once again entered the shop, this time carrying a camera he had apparently bought next door. Tohru squeaked and vanished behind the curtain again. Ayame's face cleared. "Oh! Now I see! You wanted to get a camera to take a picture of your beautiful Princess!" he said, clapping his hands.
"Indeed." Said Yuki, a little smile on his face. "Where is she?"
"She's right.here." Ayame said, looking around. He stuck his head behind the curtain. "Princess, come out!" A mumbled response. "Nonsense! You look lovely!" Another mumble. "I'm sure he won't take a picture if you don't want him to."
"I won't Miss Honda." Yuki called.
"See? Now come OUT!" Ayame said, finally pulling her from behind the curtain. Yuki's jaw dropped. He had been expecting another innocent dress. Not.this. Sheathed in black silk and a dark red blush spread over her cheeks, Tohru was a complete vision. Ayame just watched, for once completely silent.
"Miss Honda, you look.wonderful." He said, unable to think of any other words.
Tohru blushed harder, not saying anything. She stared at the ground, digging into the carpet with her toes.
Ayame finally cleared his throat, breaking the tension. "Yuki, perhaps we should let Tohru get back in her regular clothes, before a customer comes in." Again, Tohru squeaked, then disappeared behind the curtain. There was silence in the shop, then Yuki remembered the camera in his hand.
"Oh, by the way, Shigure asked me to get a few pictures of you here in the shop. He's putting together another scrapbook, and he needs pictures from high school to the present." Yuki held up the camera. "It won't take a minute."
"Oh, a new scrapbook? I can't wait to see it!" said Ayame. He posed, a hand behind his head, the other on his hip and winked. "Alright, take the picture!"
Yuki quickly snapped the picture and smirked. "Thank you, brother." He said, silkily. "Hello again, Miss Honda."
"Hi." A customer walked in, and Tohru went to help her.
"Yuki, would you please come back here and help me get something off the shelf, while Tohru helps Mrs. Takai." They went to the back of the shop and Ayame stopped Yuki with a hand on his shoulder. "Yuki, I need to ask you something." He said, serious for once. "I asked her what she thinks of the bond today."
Yuki frowned. "What did she say?" he asked, quietly.
"She said she didn't regret being tied to you both. But she kept saying she didn't know how you felt."
"I've never been very good at expressing emotions." Yuki said, pensively.
"She doesn't expect you to leap on her and start slobbering, Yuki. But a few intimacies wouldn't KILL you. Like calling her by her PROPER name?" Yuki frowned and Ayame smiled. "You don't have to worry about keeping your distance now, Yuki. Akito's dead. He won't try and take her away from you."
"I know." Yuki said.
"Then start now." Ayame said. "Stop holding her at arm's length." Ayame winked at his brother. "I think she wants you two to be closer to her."
Yuki snickered ruefully. "Are you going to have this talk with Kyo?"
Ayame looked horrorstricken. "Are you insane?" He asked, shuddering. "Just think of the beating! I'm letting Kazuma take care of that."
"Then why did you have it with me?" Yuki asked. "There was no guarantee I wouldn't beat you."
"I didn't. But you take risks for those you care about." Said Ayame, going back into the shop proper, leaving Yuki to his thoughts.
* * *
"Tohru! It's time for us to close!" Ayame sang, heading for the door. "I always close a little early on Tuesdays." Said Ayame, ushering the last customer out the door with his purchase. "It's so unremarkable a day, I had to do something for it!"
Tohru laughed. "Where's Yuki?"
"Oh, he'll be here, he just had to use the toilet." Said Ayame, lying shamelessly. "I don't know if I'll be able to make it back to Shigure's tonight, though."
"Oh, really? That's too bad, I was making oden." Said Tohru. "I know it's your favorite."
"Oden? You're making oden?" Ayame asked, eyes shining. "You know, I might be able to make it after all."
"Good." Tohru said, eyes twinkling. "I was hoping you would."
"M-Tohru, are you ready to go?" Yuki asked, coming from the back of the shop. Ayame beamed at him.
Tohru looked startled for a second, then started to smile. "I'm ready, Yuki. We need to stop at the market, I have to buy the things to make oden."
"You little minx! You had no intention of making oden tonight until I said I wouldn't be there, did you?" Ayame asked, shaking his finger at her. Tohru giggled and pulled a smiling Yuki out the door.
Yuki stuck his head back in the door just as Ayame went to lock it. "By the way, you have something on your nose." He smirked at Ayame's look of utter horror, then jogged to catch up with Tohru.
* * *
"Did my brother get his work done?" Yuki asked as they were walking home that night, arms full of groceries.
"Yes, but he fibbed a little. He said he needed to get it done today, but he didn't need it until tomorrow." Tohru smiled. "I think he mainly wanted company."
"I see." Said Yuki. "So he didn't say or do anything to make you uncomfortable?"
Tohru blushed and shook her head.
Yuki looked at her. "Good." He finally said. But on the way home, he held her hand.
* * *
"Kyo. May I speak to you a moment?" Kazuma asked.
"What's up?" Kyo asked, coming into the small sitting room at the dojo. "Did you know you had an owl in the attic?"
"No." Kazuma said, startled. "What were you doing in the attic?"
"I was lookin' for that old dressing table of mom's." Kyo said, blushing. "I thought Tohru might like it."
"Ah." Kazuma said, a knowing look in his eyes. "How do you feel about Tohru, Kyo?"
"Dunno." Said Kyo. He looked at the floor, a blush on his face. "I like her."
"Do you know what you're doing to her?" Kazuma asked.
"What? I ain't done nothin' to her!" Said Kyo. "Who said I did? That damn rat?"
"No, Kyo. I saw it with my own eyes. You're confusing the poor girl to no end." Said Kazuma.
"What are you talking about?" Kyo asked. "I haven't done anything different than I did before!"
"That's exactly it." Said Kazuma. "You're married, and you're still treating her like a sister."
"What's the matter with that?" Kyo asked. "It's not like she wants me to treat her any different!"
"Are you sure of that, Kyo?" Kazuma asked, standing. "She's not going to say she loves you if she doesn't, you know." He said before leaving.
"Dammit Master." Kyo muttered, sitting in the living room. "Why'd you have to say anything?"
* * *
"I'm home." Kyo said, kicking his shoes off at the door.
"Welcome home!" Tohru said, sticking her head out of the dining room. "I kept dinner for you."
"Yes she did!" Said Ayame. "And it's oden! Come sit down so we can eat!" He was practically squirming with impatience.
"Word of warning Kyo. Never come between Ayame and his oden." Said Shigure. "He gets revenge in the most interesting ways."
"Kyo, how do you think you'd look in leopard print?" Ayame asked, fluttering his eyelashes. Kyo sat down quickly. Ayame sighed happily when he took his first bite. "Tohru, you are a goddess."
"Did I ever tell you how much Aya likes oden?" Shigure asked.
Ayame looked up at him. "Don't you dare, 'Gure." He said, glaring at him. "I have stories on you, too."
"Point taken." Shigure said. "How are your shows progressing?"
"Shows?" Kyo asked, ignoring Ayame's preening. "What shows? Don't tell me he's finally going off to join a circus."
"Now that's just rude!" Ayame said, frowning. "There's going to be a series of fashion shows with my clothing."
"Really?" Yuki asked, surprised.
"Oh yes! I don't just have that little shop, you know! That's just something to keep my busy through the day. I have a line of designs that several of the department stores simply CLAMOR to have on their shelves."
"I never knew that." Said Yuki.
"You never asked, dear brother!" Said Ayame, winking. He turned to Shigure. "They're going very well. Everything is on time, and I even found a new model for the TS line today!"
"Oh really? I knew you were having trouble finding the right girls for that. Who?"
"Why, Miss Tohru Sohma, of course!" Said Ayame, beaming.
"Congratulations Tohru!" Said Shigure.
"Thanks." Said Tohru, blushing. "I'll do my best."
"Just what is she going to be wearing, snake?" Yuki asked, frowning.
"Dresses from a line inspired by the dress I gave her the day you two came to visit." Ayame assured him. "Did you really think I'd put our Princess in lingerie?"
"It's hard telling with you." Said Kyo.
"Now now, Kyo. I know you wouldn't want anyone but you and Yuki to see Tohru in lingerie." Said Ayame.
"SHUT UP!" Said Kyo, turning bright red.
"Oh, I haven't been here since you gave me that pretty white dress." Said Tohru, putting her purse down behind the counter.
"Oh yes!" He said, beaming. "Do you still have it?"
"Yes, but I've never worn it after that day. It's much too pretty to wear all the time. I'm saving it for a special occasion." Tohru said, blushing.
Ayame smiled modestly. "Well, thank you, but I have to say, I've improved greatly since that humble dress, and I simply must see how you look in one of my latest works!"
"Ummm, will we have time for that?" Tohru asked, eyes whirling.
Ayame smiled. "We'll have to see how the day goes!" he said merrily. "I'm off to work on the outfit, you keep an eye on things in here and call me if someone comes in!" he disappeared behind the curtain, and Tohru heard a sewing machine start up. She sighed and started rolling bolts of cloth that were loose, and unpacking a few boxes that lay on the floor. It was about eleven before a customer came in. She was the first of many. By two o'clock, they had made fully four dozen sales, and Ayame had finished the garment. He held up the short, red silk dress for her approval, then wrapped it in a box, ready for pick up.
"Well, Tohru, I don't know about you, but I'm ready for lunch." He said, rubbing his hands together. "Would you run down to that ramen shop and buy one number four, and whatever you want. Here." He handed her some money, and shooed her out the door. She came back a few minutes later, two bowls in her hands and a bag between her teeth. Ayame ran forward to help her. He took the bag and one of the bowls and headed for the back room, but not before flipping the 'out to lunch' sign.
"When is the lady coming for her clothes?" Asked Tohru, sipping at the broth of her noodles.
"Oh, she's coming tomorrow." Ayame said, calmly twirling noodles around his chopsticks. He slurped them and got a little piece of carrot on his nose. He didn't seem to notice, and she was too polite to tell him. "I got you down here to talk to you, that's all. And I could use the company. I hate being in this shop all by myself."
Tohru laughed. "Well, I'm here. What did you want to talk about?" she asked, smiling.
He looked at her. "How do you feel about the soul bond?" He asked seriously.
She smiled a little. "Well, I really can't tell much of a difference. Yuki, Kyo, and I are acting just like we always did, I just get to hug them now."
"Do you wish there could be more?" Ayame asked, watching her closely.
"More?"
"Well, you seem to care about them both." He said. "Would you like to be.closer to them?"
She blushed horribly. "I don't know." She said, looking down. "They're always so nice to me, but.I don't know."
"Tohru, have you ever had a relationship before?" She shook her head. He sighed. "I don't know what to tell you, Tohru, except that they both care for you very much, and I think this 'marriage' is the best thing that ever happened to either of them." He smiled and finished his lunch. "Now. I have a present for you." He said, standing up. He led her over to a curtained alcove and pushed her in. "Now, put on the dress you find in there. Consider it your wedding present."
"Um, Ayame, where's the zipper?" she asked, then "Never mind. I found it." A few rustles, and she stepped out, blushing. A knee length, black silk sheath hugged her slender form from the breasts down. The dress had no shoulders, but a pair of black silk arm sheathes went all the way up to the mid upper arms, and came to a point below her wrist on her hands. It was a very mature look for the innocent girl.
"Oh Tohru, you look fantastic!" Ayame gushed.
"Are you sure it's really me?" she asked, blushing hotly. "I've never worn black before, except for when I go see mom."
"Tohru, every woman needs at least one little black dress." Said Ayame, shaking his finger at her. "And if you have a simply FABULOUS clothing designer in your family, willing and able to provide you with designer originals, you don't argue!"
She laughed. "All right. Thank you very much, Ayame, it's beautiful." She said, stroking the sleeves.
"You're very welcome, little sister." Said Ayame, smiling as she disappeared into the back room and removed the dress. She came back out, the dress over her arm. He took the dress and put it in a white box, wrapped in tissue paper. "Now, Tohru, you said something about going to school?"
"Yes, I want to continue my education. I was hoping to go for pediatrician. I love kids, and I'd like to work with them." She said, gathering up the bowls and trash from lunch.
"How are you going to pay for it?" he asked.
"Well, there's scholarships I can apply for, and Yuki offered to help me pay, but that's so much money, and I just wouldn't feel comfortable taking it from him." She said.
"How would you feel about a job?" he asked, frowning thoughtfully. "I haven't told Yuki about any of my business venues besides this shop, but I have commissions from several department stores. I supply them with original designs, for a flat fee and a percentage of the profits. It's doing quite well. One of my friends wants to do a series of shows here in town with my work, and he needs models. It's a six-month engagement, and it pays very well. Would you consider it?"
"Me? A model?" she said, hair frizzing. "I'm not the type of person to be a model!"
"Quite the contrary, Tohru, you're perfect for my newest line. The sweet, innocent dress I made for you three years ago just sparked the line. I'm calling it the TS line, in your honor. Who better than the person it's based on to model it?"
"If you think I can do it." She said, blushing.
"So you'll do it?" He asked, beaming.
"I guess." She squealed when he swept her up in a big hug. "Thank you little sister! I'll go call my friend right now!" he said, dancing off. "Open the shop for me, will you?" He said, disappearing.
* * *
Yuki called out for Tohru as he entered the mouth of Hell. Otherwise known as Ayame's shop. He was relieved when she stepped out to greet him still dressed in the clothing she had come in.
"Hello, Miss Honda." He said, smiling.
"Yuki! Did you finish the family business already?" She asked, rolling a length of fabric that she had just cut a yard from.
"Yes. It was a fairly minor matter, easily taken care of." He sighed. "I still don't know why they couldn't do it themselves." He smiled again, dismissing it. "Now, what did you do all day?"
"Oh, it was lots of fun. I helped some customers, and Ayame and I had lunch." She giggled. "Don't tell him, but he got a little bit of the ramen on his nose."
Yuki smirked. "Is it still there?"
"I think so." She said, giggling again.
"Tohru, did I hear a customer?" Ayame asked, coming to the front of the store. His eyes lit up when he saw Yuki, and he rushed forward. "YUKI! So good of you to stop by!" he said, beaming. Indeed, he still had that little piece of orange stuck to his nose.
It took everything Yuki had not to laugh. "Hello." He said, coolly.
"Yuki, you simply MUST see what I gave Tohru! It's simply divine on her!" Said Ayame, pushing her to the back of the shop. "Go put it on, Tohru, and show him!"
"But." Tohru said, eyes going white.
"You mean you don't like it?" Ayame asked, lower lip starting to quiver. "I thought you liked it, but if you don't want to be seen in it."
"No! It's alright, I'll go put it on right now!" Tohru said, running for the back of the shop. Ayame's tearful look instantly vanished.
"You have no shame." Yuki growled. Then he sighed. "What's the shop next door?"
Ayame looked puzzled. "It's just a little family drug store."
"I see." Said Yuki. "I'll be right back." He disappeared out the door, just as Tohru reappeared, once again wearing the black dress.
"Where'd Yuki go?" She asked, blushing.
"Don't worry, Tohru, he just had to.get something." Said Ayame, looking annoyed. "Though what he could possibly need that would draw him away from here is beyond me." He fell silent as Yuki once again entered the shop, this time carrying a camera he had apparently bought next door. Tohru squeaked and vanished behind the curtain again. Ayame's face cleared. "Oh! Now I see! You wanted to get a camera to take a picture of your beautiful Princess!" he said, clapping his hands.
"Indeed." Said Yuki, a little smile on his face. "Where is she?"
"She's right.here." Ayame said, looking around. He stuck his head behind the curtain. "Princess, come out!" A mumbled response. "Nonsense! You look lovely!" Another mumble. "I'm sure he won't take a picture if you don't want him to."
"I won't Miss Honda." Yuki called.
"See? Now come OUT!" Ayame said, finally pulling her from behind the curtain. Yuki's jaw dropped. He had been expecting another innocent dress. Not.this. Sheathed in black silk and a dark red blush spread over her cheeks, Tohru was a complete vision. Ayame just watched, for once completely silent.
"Miss Honda, you look.wonderful." He said, unable to think of any other words.
Tohru blushed harder, not saying anything. She stared at the ground, digging into the carpet with her toes.
Ayame finally cleared his throat, breaking the tension. "Yuki, perhaps we should let Tohru get back in her regular clothes, before a customer comes in." Again, Tohru squeaked, then disappeared behind the curtain. There was silence in the shop, then Yuki remembered the camera in his hand.
"Oh, by the way, Shigure asked me to get a few pictures of you here in the shop. He's putting together another scrapbook, and he needs pictures from high school to the present." Yuki held up the camera. "It won't take a minute."
"Oh, a new scrapbook? I can't wait to see it!" said Ayame. He posed, a hand behind his head, the other on his hip and winked. "Alright, take the picture!"
Yuki quickly snapped the picture and smirked. "Thank you, brother." He said, silkily. "Hello again, Miss Honda."
"Hi." A customer walked in, and Tohru went to help her.
"Yuki, would you please come back here and help me get something off the shelf, while Tohru helps Mrs. Takai." They went to the back of the shop and Ayame stopped Yuki with a hand on his shoulder. "Yuki, I need to ask you something." He said, serious for once. "I asked her what she thinks of the bond today."
Yuki frowned. "What did she say?" he asked, quietly.
"She said she didn't regret being tied to you both. But she kept saying she didn't know how you felt."
"I've never been very good at expressing emotions." Yuki said, pensively.
"She doesn't expect you to leap on her and start slobbering, Yuki. But a few intimacies wouldn't KILL you. Like calling her by her PROPER name?" Yuki frowned and Ayame smiled. "You don't have to worry about keeping your distance now, Yuki. Akito's dead. He won't try and take her away from you."
"I know." Yuki said.
"Then start now." Ayame said. "Stop holding her at arm's length." Ayame winked at his brother. "I think she wants you two to be closer to her."
Yuki snickered ruefully. "Are you going to have this talk with Kyo?"
Ayame looked horrorstricken. "Are you insane?" He asked, shuddering. "Just think of the beating! I'm letting Kazuma take care of that."
"Then why did you have it with me?" Yuki asked. "There was no guarantee I wouldn't beat you."
"I didn't. But you take risks for those you care about." Said Ayame, going back into the shop proper, leaving Yuki to his thoughts.
* * *
"Tohru! It's time for us to close!" Ayame sang, heading for the door. "I always close a little early on Tuesdays." Said Ayame, ushering the last customer out the door with his purchase. "It's so unremarkable a day, I had to do something for it!"
Tohru laughed. "Where's Yuki?"
"Oh, he'll be here, he just had to use the toilet." Said Ayame, lying shamelessly. "I don't know if I'll be able to make it back to Shigure's tonight, though."
"Oh, really? That's too bad, I was making oden." Said Tohru. "I know it's your favorite."
"Oden? You're making oden?" Ayame asked, eyes shining. "You know, I might be able to make it after all."
"Good." Tohru said, eyes twinkling. "I was hoping you would."
"M-Tohru, are you ready to go?" Yuki asked, coming from the back of the shop. Ayame beamed at him.
Tohru looked startled for a second, then started to smile. "I'm ready, Yuki. We need to stop at the market, I have to buy the things to make oden."
"You little minx! You had no intention of making oden tonight until I said I wouldn't be there, did you?" Ayame asked, shaking his finger at her. Tohru giggled and pulled a smiling Yuki out the door.
Yuki stuck his head back in the door just as Ayame went to lock it. "By the way, you have something on your nose." He smirked at Ayame's look of utter horror, then jogged to catch up with Tohru.
* * *
"Did my brother get his work done?" Yuki asked as they were walking home that night, arms full of groceries.
"Yes, but he fibbed a little. He said he needed to get it done today, but he didn't need it until tomorrow." Tohru smiled. "I think he mainly wanted company."
"I see." Said Yuki. "So he didn't say or do anything to make you uncomfortable?"
Tohru blushed and shook her head.
Yuki looked at her. "Good." He finally said. But on the way home, he held her hand.
* * *
"Kyo. May I speak to you a moment?" Kazuma asked.
"What's up?" Kyo asked, coming into the small sitting room at the dojo. "Did you know you had an owl in the attic?"
"No." Kazuma said, startled. "What were you doing in the attic?"
"I was lookin' for that old dressing table of mom's." Kyo said, blushing. "I thought Tohru might like it."
"Ah." Kazuma said, a knowing look in his eyes. "How do you feel about Tohru, Kyo?"
"Dunno." Said Kyo. He looked at the floor, a blush on his face. "I like her."
"Do you know what you're doing to her?" Kazuma asked.
"What? I ain't done nothin' to her!" Said Kyo. "Who said I did? That damn rat?"
"No, Kyo. I saw it with my own eyes. You're confusing the poor girl to no end." Said Kazuma.
"What are you talking about?" Kyo asked. "I haven't done anything different than I did before!"
"That's exactly it." Said Kazuma. "You're married, and you're still treating her like a sister."
"What's the matter with that?" Kyo asked. "It's not like she wants me to treat her any different!"
"Are you sure of that, Kyo?" Kazuma asked, standing. "She's not going to say she loves you if she doesn't, you know." He said before leaving.
"Dammit Master." Kyo muttered, sitting in the living room. "Why'd you have to say anything?"
* * *
"I'm home." Kyo said, kicking his shoes off at the door.
"Welcome home!" Tohru said, sticking her head out of the dining room. "I kept dinner for you."
"Yes she did!" Said Ayame. "And it's oden! Come sit down so we can eat!" He was practically squirming with impatience.
"Word of warning Kyo. Never come between Ayame and his oden." Said Shigure. "He gets revenge in the most interesting ways."
"Kyo, how do you think you'd look in leopard print?" Ayame asked, fluttering his eyelashes. Kyo sat down quickly. Ayame sighed happily when he took his first bite. "Tohru, you are a goddess."
"Did I ever tell you how much Aya likes oden?" Shigure asked.
Ayame looked up at him. "Don't you dare, 'Gure." He said, glaring at him. "I have stories on you, too."
"Point taken." Shigure said. "How are your shows progressing?"
"Shows?" Kyo asked, ignoring Ayame's preening. "What shows? Don't tell me he's finally going off to join a circus."
"Now that's just rude!" Ayame said, frowning. "There's going to be a series of fashion shows with my clothing."
"Really?" Yuki asked, surprised.
"Oh yes! I don't just have that little shop, you know! That's just something to keep my busy through the day. I have a line of designs that several of the department stores simply CLAMOR to have on their shelves."
"I never knew that." Said Yuki.
"You never asked, dear brother!" Said Ayame, winking. He turned to Shigure. "They're going very well. Everything is on time, and I even found a new model for the TS line today!"
"Oh really? I knew you were having trouble finding the right girls for that. Who?"
"Why, Miss Tohru Sohma, of course!" Said Ayame, beaming.
"Congratulations Tohru!" Said Shigure.
"Thanks." Said Tohru, blushing. "I'll do my best."
"Just what is she going to be wearing, snake?" Yuki asked, frowning.
"Dresses from a line inspired by the dress I gave her the day you two came to visit." Ayame assured him. "Did you really think I'd put our Princess in lingerie?"
"It's hard telling with you." Said Kyo.
"Now now, Kyo. I know you wouldn't want anyone but you and Yuki to see Tohru in lingerie." Said Ayame.
"SHUT UP!" Said Kyo, turning bright red.