"You were perfect Tohru." Yuki said, smiling softly. "You did very
well."
"Thank you! That wasn't as hard as I thought it'd be." She said, smiling. She had changed back into her street clothes after the show, and gone out to meet her boys.
"And the turnout was huge! Who knew the stupid snakes designs could be so popular?" Kyo said, glancing around at the numerous people still gathered, hoping to talk to Ayame, who was holding court in the corner. He was sparkling brightly, basking in the admiration of the people around him.
His eyes lit up when he spotted the group. He ran forward, the crowd around him splitting like the red sea. "Tohru! Kyo! Baby brother!" he said, clutching Tohru and Yuki to his chest. He didn't even try for Kyo, or he might have been unconscious. He turned to the following crowd and beamed. "Everyone, meet my little brother and his charming bride!" Yuki shrugged his brother off, but refrained from hitting him, simply because there were too many witnesses. He just glared Black Death at Ayame, promising future damage.
"Stop hogging the chick, boss man." Mariko said, pulling Tohru away from Ayame. "C'mon, I wanna introduce you to some of the girls. You're gonna be workin' with 'em for a few months, better know their names." They disappeared in the crowd, leaving the men to gape after them.
"Oh god. Not another Yankee." Kyo said, running his hand through his hair. "I don't think I can take another one."
"Don't worry, Lucky Kyo, she's just here for the shows. After that she goes right back to Tokyo." Ayame said
"Stop calling me that!" Kyo snapped. "Where's Tohru? We were gonna." he glanced at the people around them, listening avidly. "Never mind." He said, blushing.
Ayame twinkled. "Oh, were you planning on taking Tohru out to celebrate her big debut?" He put a hand over his heart. "That's so.! Oh, words fail me." He started searching the crowd for the two delinquent girls, then started dragging the two boys over to where Tohru was surrounded by a few of the other models. "Oh Tohru!" he sang, "you have to say goodbye to your little friends now, these two have something for you!"
Mariko smirked. "I'll bet." She said.
"Hey, Tohru, if you don't want it, I'll take it." Said a tall girl, leering at the two boys. She laughed when the boys blushed. "I'll bet they give good 'presents'."
"Oh yes!" Said Tohru. "Yuki once gave me ribbons." A look of horror crossed Yuki's face. Ayame snickered. "And Kyo taught me how hit!" It was Kyo's turn to look horrified.
"And I'll bet you had fun when they gave you those presents." Mariko said, grinning evilly.
"Uh huh!" Tohru said cheerfully.
"Well, we'll just let you three go.have fun." Said Mariko. "I'll see you later, angel."
Yuki and Kyo took Tohru's hands and led her away, faces burning. She looked from one to the other, unable to understand why they were so quiet. As soon as they were out the door, everyone who had been listening keeled over, clutching their stomachs laughing.
* * *
"So where are we going?" Tohru asked, swinging their linked hands.
"We thought we'd go get a packed lunch." Said Yuki, still blushing. "And eat it in the park."
"Oh! A picnic!" Tohru said happily. "What park?"
"The one with all the ducks." Said Kyo. "I knew you liked to feed 'em."
"Uh huh!" They came to a restaurant that sold boxed lunches and bought three, plus a day old loaf of bread. They made their way to the park and sat on a bench beside the lake, peacefully eating their sandwiches. Tohru tossed a crust of her bread to a passing swan. It snatched it out of the water and started preening, begging for more. Tohru laughed and tossed it another crust, attracting the swan's mate. It swam over regally, a swarm of babies darting here and there around it. Tohru squealed with excitement, startling the babies. She fell silent, and when the first baby came close enough to grab a piece of bread, the rest followed. Tohru abandoned her own lunch to toss little pieces of the loaf of bread to the babies and parents, who eagerly gobbled up the offered tidbits. Yuki and Kyo sat and watched, smiling at her enthusiasm.
She turned and offered them a handful of breadcrumbs, gesturing them forward so they could feed the swans as well. They stood and joined her at the water's edge, tossing chunks of bread to the bickering swans until the bag was empty. When the swans had swam away, they returned to the bench, talking about everything and nothing, until the sun started to set.
* * *
"We're home!" Tohru said, hurrying into the house. Yuki and Kyo followed at a more sedate pace.
"Ah, perfect timing!" Shigure said. "Look who came for a visit!"
"Hey Tohru." Uo said, coming into the hallway. "Did you like your present?" She grinned when the two boys suddenly flushed a bright red. "I guess the boys did."
"Shut up, Yankee!" Kyo snapped. He went back outside, and they heard a thump as he climbed the ladder to the roof. "Tell me when she leaves!" he yelled through the roof tiles.
"Strange boy." Hana said, when they came into the sitting room. "You would think marriage would settle him down a bit."
Tohru laughed nervously. "So! How have you two been?" She asked, blatantly trying to change the subject.
"We've been fine." Hana said. "Megume told me to tell you he's checked all his books. There's nothing he can do, he would have to have a copy of the spell itself."
"We guessed that." Said Yuki. "We're adjusting."
"So we heard." Uo said. "How did the date go?" She asked, grinning wickedly at Tohru's horrible blush.
"Uo, stop teasing her." Hana said, taking a sip of the tea Shigure had apparently served them while they were waiting for the trio. Yuki looked at her in gratitude. "You saw them when they came in. If it had gone as well as we hoped, they would be blushing far worse than they are now." Shigure laughed while Yuki frizzed and Tohru went white eyed. Hana took pity on her when it was apparent she didn't know what to say. "Tohru, we're out of snacks. Would you mind.?" She asked, holding up an empty plate. Tohru gladly took the plate and vanished into the kitchen.
"Still shy as ever." Uo said, smiling. She followed Tohru into the kitchen, probably to continue their conversation.
They all jumped when the door suddenly snapped open. "Tohru!" Momiji sang, frolicking into the room. "Hello everyone! Tohru! Where are you?"
"I'm in here, Momiji!" Tohru said, coming back to the sitting room, Uo following. She was carrying a large plate of rice cakes, which she sat on the table in easy reach, then sat down herself.
"Tohru!" Momiji said, running forward and throwing his arms around her neck. He had finally gotten his growth spurt, and he had grown into his men's clothing, like Haru said he would. His voice had also changed, to end up just a bit higher than Hatori's.
Tohru laughed and hugged him back, once more grateful for Akito's gift. "How are you, Momiji?"
"I'm fine. I just thought I'd come tell you something! Mitsue Sohma is pregnant!"
"That's wonderful news!" Shigure said, beaming. "That's my second cousin, isn't it?"
"Yeah. And odds are, it's our new clan Head." Momiji said, face darkening for a second. He sighed and looked around, smiling brightly when he spotted Hana and Uo watching the group from the table. "Hi you two! What are you doing here?"
"Came to visit Tohru." Uo said.
"And to check on the curse, and how it was progressing." Hana said, sipping at her tea. "Kyo, you might want to come in and join us. This concerns you as well." She waited until a scowling Kyo had entered the room, then continued. "If you still want to break it, you have to do it in the next three months. Or it will be too late. Your signals are almost fully intertwined."
"I thought you said we had a year!" Yuki said, looking disturbed.
"I thought you did too, but as I said before, I've never seen anything like this curse before. I was going by the rate I observed that night. Factors have combined to make the curse accelerate greatly."
"Like what?" Shigure asked.
"Well, I can assume the dating has something to do with it." Hana said. "Physical and mental closeness could have done it."
"And they have been getting close." Shigure said, nodding.
"So just how close have you been getting?" Uo asked, nudging Kyo.
He blushed hotly and jumped up. "None of your damn business, Yankee!"
"Aww, did I embarrass you, Orange Top?" Uo asked, grinning evilly. "I guess you're right, though. Anything that happens between you three in the bedroom is entirely your business."
"Shut up!" Kyo snarled, fists clenched.
"Miss Uotani, please stop provoking him." Yuki said, frowning. He looked meaningfully over at Tohru, who was once again blushing brightly, staring at the table. His message was clear. Stop embarrassing Tohru.
Uo sighed and stood up. "Well, I don't know about you Hana, but I gotta go. I have a job interview."
"I have to leave too. My brother has a play at his school tonight, and I have to attend." Hana said, standing as well. "Remember, three months." She said, before leaving the house with Uo.
"So, just how close HAVE you gotten?" Momiji asked, smirking.
"None of your business, Momiji." Yuki said, glaring. "Miss Honda, shall we go to the base? I'm sure it needs weeding."
"Sure! Just let me take these into the kitchen." Tohru said, collecting the dirty plates and cups. Once they were in the sink, she joined Yuki on the porch and they started off down the path.
"Where are you two goin'? Kyo asked, peering down from the edge of the roof.
"We're going to the base." Yuki said. "It hasn't been seen to in days. Would you like to come too?"
"Nah. I have to do some stuff. You go on. Just don't bring home any leeks!" Kyo said, shuddering as he disappeared from view.
Tohru laughed. "We didn't plant any this time, Kyo!" She called. A grunt was her only reply and they continued on to the base.
"So what do you want to plant next year, Tohru?" Yuki asked, when they reached the base. "I thought maybe we could try tomatoes. We've never had those before."
"Oh, that sounds good!" Said Tohru. "How about we try and expand the base this year? Since there's two of us, we could probably have a few more things."
"Like what?" Yuki asked, tucking his hands in his pockets. "We've got carrots, strawberries, turnips, and lettuce. What else could we put in?"
"Well, like you said, we could do tomatoes, and corn is always good." Said Tohru, thinking hard.
"What about peas? I've always liked peas." Yuki said.
"I do too!" Said Tohru. "Do we have room for potatoes?"
"I think so." By this time they had made it to the base, and they both kneeled down to remove weeds from around the half-grown plants. It really didn't have that many weeds, but it did need a good watering. Tohru went and got some water from the nearby stream in a sprinkling can and started watering the lines of vegetables they had already weeded, while Yuki finished pulling the small weeds from around the strawberries. They worked in a comfortable silence, then Tohru started to hum.
"What's that song? It's very nice." Yuki said, smiling at her.
"Oh, it's just a little song I heard a long time ago. I've forgotten the words, but it's a pretty song."
"It is. Especially when you sing it." Yuki said, eyes warm. Tohru blushed. "Please, sing it again."
She hesitantly started to hum the song, smiling when Yuki joined in, humming with her while they finished watering the small plot of ground.
* * *
"Would you mind if I went first on the individual date?" Yuki asked Kyo that night, when they had come in from the base. "I have an idea, and I want to do it tomorrow."
"Fine with me. I have one too, but it can't happen until next week." Kyo said, nodding. He lay back on the cool roof tiles, watching the stars twinkle overhead.
"Really? What's your idea?" Yuki asked, curious.
"What's yours?" Kyo asked, smirking. Yuki refused to answer, blushing. "Same goes for me." He said.
"Touché." Yuki said, shaking his head. "I have to go out later, to get ready for the surprise. Can you keep her busy long enough for me to get out of the house?"
"Yeah."
"Thanks." Yuki said, climbing down the ladder, leaving Kyo alone on the roof.
* * *
"Where are we going?" Tohru asked, smiling. They were walking along the forest path, towards town, hands clasped lightly. Yuki had told her to get ready; he had to take her somewhere. She had cleaned up and slipped into a dress, humming happily. She always enjoyed surprises.
"If I told you, it wouldn't be a surprise." Yuki said, smiling. "Besides, we're almost there." He grabbed her hand and they continued down the road, joined hands swinging between them. He pulled her to a stop at the tree line. "We're here." Yuki said, pulling a branch aside to reveal an orchard. The trees were all in blossom, perfuming the air with a variety of fragrances.
Tohru took a deep breath of the perfumed air. "Yuki, it's beautiful!" she said, beaming at him. "Are we going to take a walk?"
"No, we're going to pick out our plants." Yuki said, pulling her to the small building in the middle of the orchard.
"Oh! For the garden? We're going to expand it today?" She asked.
"No. For the Zodiac Garden." Said Yuki.
"Huh?" Tohru asked, looking puzzled.
"You'll see." Yuki said, smiling mysteriously. "Mr. Yamata! Are you here?"
"I'm in here young man!" A voice called from the building. A stooped, wrinkled old man came out of the building, smiling at them. He was covered in compost. "I suppose you two are the Sohmas?"
"Yes. Have we come at a bad time?" Yuki asked, frowning.
"Oh no. I was just repotting some roses for a lady." Mr. Yamata said, waving his hand negligently. "Are you ready to pick your plants?"
"Yes. We'd like to see the trees first, if you don't mind." Yuki said.
"Not at all, not at all." Mr. Yamata said, heading towards a grove of potted fruit trees. "Right this way."
"What are we doing here?" Tohru asked, looking around at all the trees.
"I thought you might like a place you could go, away from the insanity that frequently occurs at home." Yuki said. "We're going to get thirteen fruit trees, one for each zodiac member, and another plant just for you. I found a new clearing, not far from the house, where I thought we could create a secret base, all your own."
Tohru smiled at Yuki, tears in her eyes. She hugged him tightly, then pulled him into the masses of trees, searching for the right trees for her own private grove.
* * *
It had been a long day, but they finally found a tree for every member of the zodiac. They had gotten three different types of apple tree for Ayame, Shigure, and Hatori. Kyo had gotten a lemon tree. Haru and Kagura were persimmon trees. Kisa and Hiro were pear trees. Yuki had chosen a cherry tree. Rin was an apricot. Kureno was a crab apple, and Momiji and Ritsu were peach.
Once they found the trees, they couldn't stop. They bought blueberry, raspberry, and blackberry bushes, and a wire fence for them to climb. They also got some grape vines, and an arbor for THEM to climb. A bench was going in the arbor, where it would be shaded. The last thing they bought was a birdbath.
"Do you think we over did it?" Tohru asked, when they finally got the bill. Her eyes spun at the amount.
"Not at all." Yuki said, handing Mr. Yamata a credit card. "Tohru, you don't have to worry about money. My father was fairly well off. When he passed away, his solicitors invested most of his money. It's amassed to quite a sum."
"So, you're rich?" Tohru asked, eyes spinning.
"Why do you think I've never had to work?" Yuki asked, smiling. "Thank you." He said, taking his credit card away from Mr. Yamata, and arranging for the plants and fence to be delivered to Shigure's house that afternoon. "Shall we head home and decide where everything is going to go?" Yuki asked.
"Ok." Tohru said. "Do you think the clearing is big enough for all of this?"
"I'm sure it is. The only reason I didn't use that clearing for MY base was because it was too close to the house. I thought you might prefer it if it was close."
"I would! Thank you so much, Yuki! Now I have my own base!" She said, smiling.
"I thought you'd like it." Yuki said. They returned to the house and Yuki led her to the clearing. It was a large, flat area, with a small stream on one side. Dappled sunlight poured into the clearing, illuminating the thick carpet of green grass. "It's so pretty!" Tohru said.
"I'm glad you like it. Come see what I thought we could do with the trees." He said. They decided to put the trees in different spots in the clearing, instead of bunching them together, or putting them in even rows. The fence for the bushes would go on the far side of the clearing, and the grape arbor would be in the middle. The birdbath would go beside the arbor.
"Yuki! Tohru!" Shigure called. "There's a big truck parked outside my house!"
"It's here!" Tohru squealed, dashing ahead. She was bouncing around the truck, pointing out the different types of trees to an amused Shigure and Kyo.
"So which apple am I?" Shigure asked.
"Granny Smith." Yuki said, smirking as he signed the delivery sheet.
"You're so cruel!" Shigure said, tears flowing down his face.
"I know. Now help us carry these into the clearing." Yuki said, picking up the cherry tree. Shigure and Kyo both picked up a pear while Tohru carried the bushes. After several trips, they had all the plants in the clearing, along with the fencing and the arbor.
"Well, that's it." Shigure said, cracking his back after putting down the last crab apple. "I need to go and finish my latest manuscript. Poor Mii. She was so upset when she found out I wasn't done." He trotted off, giggling to himself.
"That guy needs help." Kyo said, shaking his head. "D'you need help planting them?"
Yuki looked at Kyo, then Tohru. "That would be fine." He said. "Where do you think Shigure hid the shovels? And the hammer and nails?"
"As far from him as he could get them." Yuki said. He looked at Kyo. "Shed." They said together, and went to get the tools.
* * *
"It looks so nice!" Tohru said, looking around the newly decorated clearing. The trees had been moved around a bit, but otherwise the entire setup was as planned. The bushes and grape vines were a little scanty, but they'd grow out and cover the fence and arbor in a profusion of vines eventually, with lots of care.
"It looks good." Kyo said, rolling his shoulders. "Anyone else hungry?"
As if on cue, Yuki's stomach growled loudly, causing Kyo to smirk at him, while Tohru laughed. "I guess that's a yes." She said, smiling at a blushing Yuki. "I'll go make dinner." She took one last look around at the new garden, and left, skipping all the way.
"Good idea." Kyo said, shaking his head.
"Thanks." Yuki said, smiling. "I thought she should have her own place, where she can go to be alone for a while if she wants to."
"It was a good idea." He smirked. "But mine's gonna be better."
* * *
Shigure jumped as another thump sounded on the roof. "What one earth is he doing up there?"
"I don't know. He wouldn't tell me." Tohru said. "He's been up and down the ladder all day, though."
"I'd love to know what he's up to." Shigure said.
"He told me to tell you if he catches you on that ladder, he'd break both your legs and tell your editor you were finished with your latest manuscript early."
Shigure shuddered and said no more about it.
* * *
Kyo sighed and wiped the sweat off his forehead. He had been working on it all day, but it was finally done. Now all he had to do was get Tohru up here. He went down the ladder and into the kitchen, where Tohru was making dinner. "Hey."
Tohru jumped. "Oh, Kyo, you scared me!" She said, eyes white. "Are you done working on your project?"
"Yeah. Wanna come see?" he asked, rubbing the back of his neck.
"Sure! Let me just put this on the table, and we'll go up." She said, putting the rice in a bowl. She carried it out to the table, where Shigure and Yuki were seated. "Kyo and I are going to go see what he's been working on. We'll be back." She said cheerfully.
"I wouldn't count on it." Shigure muttered. Kyo glared at him. "I didn't say anything." He whimpered.
Tohru looked puzzled for a minute. "Um, ok. Go ahead and start dinner." She said, following Kyo to the ladder on the side of the house. "So what did you want to." Tohru trailed off when she saw what Kyo had been working on all day. A platform had been built on the roof, big enough for perhaps four people to sit comfortably. At the moment, it was spread with a tablecloth, two plates, bread, cheese, a bottle of sparkling water, and fruit.
Kyo was blushing. "I thought you might like to watch the meteor shower tonight. It's supposed to be pretty cool." He smiled. "It's also kinda like a celebration. I start working with the Master tomorrow."
"I'd love to!" Tohru said, eyes shining. "You set all this up? It must have taken all day!"
"It wasn't that hard." Kyo said.
"I really appreciate it." Tohru said, smiling at him. "When will it start?"
"We have time to eat before they start falling." Kyo said, putting a few pieces of cheese and bread on a plate and handing it to her, then fixed one for himself.
"This is so nice." Tohru said, nibbling on a piece of cheese. "I love meteor showers."
"I'm glad." Kyo said, swallowing his mouthful. He pointed to the sky. "Look, there goes the first one!" They reclined on the pillows, still nibbling on their dinner, as the streaks of light blazed overhead. After about an hour, Kyo worked up the courage to hold her hand. It was midnight before they came down.
* * *
"Hello everyone!" Ayame said, coming into the sitting room. He was carrying a massive bag over one shoulder, and he looked like a very young Santa Claus. He stopped in the doorway, frowning, when he saw no one was in the sitting room. "Where is everyone?" He muttered. He put the bag down and went into the study, where he was sure he would find Shigure, but the dog was absent. Ayame crossed his arms and stuck up his nose. "Well! I come to visit and no one is here to greet me! How rude!" He stood there for a second, then sighed and continued his search. It just wasn't any fun being dramatic if no one was there to appreciate it.
He checked every room in the house, but not a living soul was there except himself. "I suppose I could wait, but just SITTING is so boring!" He went back into the sitting room, where he plunked himself down on the cushions, pouting.
He was up again in seconds. "I can't just SIT." He said to himself. "Maybe there's something I could do in the kitchen." He wandered into the kitchen, where some dishes from breakfast were sitting in the drainer, drying. He got a towel and started patting the water off a plate, and put it away. He kept going until the drainer was empty. It took all of five minutes.
"Well, now what?" He said. He started wandering around the house again, looking for something to keep himself busy, and found Yuki's room. Like any teenage male, it was a little messy. While there was no mold growing on anything, it was a little dusty, and there were clothes lying everywhere. Ayame looked around in distaste. "What a mess! And it's so small! My baby brother deserves far more!" He picked up a shirt and tossed it in a pile with a pair of slacks and a stray sock or two. His eyes lit up. "I know! I'll clean it for him!" he said, picking up more of the stray clothing. It took two trips to the laundry room before the room was tidy enough to start dusting. Ayame had found an old handkerchief of Shigure's and tied it over his hair, plus a large apron to cover his robe.
He went into what can only be described as a cleaning frenzy, running a large cloth over the dusty surfaces in the room, taking it repeatedly to a window to be shaken out. Once the dusting was finished, he started to make the bed and put various books, magazines, and other things where he thought they should go. By the time he was done, the room sparkled. He put his hands on his hips and surveyed the area, beaming proudly. Not only had he cleaned, he had moved the furniture around a bit. Really, who ever heard of a bookshelf beside the window? Everyone KNEW that's where the bed should be! And the desk? Really, Yuki was lucky his loving older brother had straightened this mess out for him. He checked his watch and his face fell. It had taken less than half an hour to do the entire room.
Ayame sighed and pulled the handkerchief out of his hair. "I'm exhausted." He said, running a hand over his brow. He looked horrified at the drops of sweat glistening on his hand. "That won't do!" he said, frowning. "I simply MUST have a bath!" he decided. "That will give the others a chance to get home as well." He marched into the bathroom, closing the door behind him.
* * *
"That garden is beautiful, Tohru." Shigure said, beaming at her. "You're going to be able to make your very own fruits basket, eventually." She had dragged him down to see her new base that morning, and he was suitably impressed.
"I know." Tohru said. "But just because I have my own base now doesn't mean I'm not gonna help you with yours, Yuki!" she said, shaking her finger at him. "We're still expanding and putting in some corn and tomatoes, if nothing else."
"I wouldn't dream of stopping you. I was hoping we could help each other." Yuki said, smiling. "Shall we go home?"
"Ok! I have to finish the dishes anyway." Tohru said. "I was so excited to show you my garden, I left them in the drainer."
"That's all right. You have all day to finish your chores, Tohru. The only problem I have is I've gotten a sudden craving for fruit salad." Shigure said, winking. Tohru laughed.
"Ok, who went off and left the door open?" Kyo asked, frowning.
"I was the last one out, and I was sure I closed it behind me." Yuki said.
"I know you did." Shigure said. "I saw you do it."
"So why is it open now?" Tohru asked. She frizzed. "Someone's in the house!" She whispered fearfully.
"Stay here." Kyo said, cracking his knuckles. "I'll check it out."
"I'll go with you." Yuki said. "Shigure, you stay here. Tohru might need you."
"Are you sure?" Shigure asked, seriously.
"Yeah." Kyo said, heading for the house, Yuki right behind. "You'd just get in the way, anyway." Shigure huffed, but didn't argue.
Yuki and Kyo slipped soundlessly into the house, leaving the door open behind them, in case they needed to get out quickly. They peered into the main room, and saw the bag on the floor. They nodded to each other significantly. They slowly crept up the stairs, and into the hallway, where they heard a splashing in the bathroom. They tiptoed to the bathroom door, and flung it open, in a ready position.
"OH!" Ayame yelled, clutching a towel to his chest, eyes wide with fright. While the towel admirably covered his chest, it left his nether regions bare.
"Oh dear god! I'm blind!" Kyo said, stumbling away from the door. "I NEVER wanted to see that much of the damn snake!" He moaned, hands over his eyes, trying desperately to repress the image burned into his retinas.
"What the HELL are you doing?" Yuki snarled, glaring evilly.
It took Ayame a second to reply, completely shocked by Yuki's bad language. "Well! I should think it was obvious! I was taking a bath!" Ayame said, nose in the air.
"Why are you taking a bath here?!" Yuki said, incredulously. "And PUT SOME CLOTHES ON!"
"Oh! Sorry!" Ayame said, slipping his white under robe on quickly. "Really Yuki, you'd think I was robbing you!" He said, frowning. "All I did was take a nice bath while I was waiting for you to get home."
"You moron! We DID think we were being robbed!" Kyo growled. "You left the door open, and we saw that big bag in the dining room!"
"Oh, that!" Ayame said, beaming. "That's just Tohru's little gift."
"Moron." Kyo said, stomping down the stairs. He gestured for Shigure and Tohru to come in the house.
"What was it?" Tohru asked, eyes white.
"It was the STUPID snake!" Kyo said, steam practically coming out of his ears.
"Aya?" Shigure asked. "What is he doing here?"
"He brought a present for Tohru. He decided to have a bath while he was waiting." Kyo said sarcastically.
Shigure breathed a sigh of relief. "Oh, is that all?" He asked, cheerfully. "Well, let's not keep him waiting!" He ran up the front steps. "Aya! I'm here!" He called.
"He's a little, indisposed, at the moment." Yuki said, dragging the unconscious man down the stairs by his collar. Tohru started to flutter around the brothers, eyes spinning.
"Yuki! Really!" Shigure said, tisking. "So he gave us a scare, there was no harm done."
"You haven't seen what he's done to my room." Yuki said darkly. He flung the snake down beside Shigure and went back upstairs to try and undo some of the damage, while Tohru pulled Ayame into the sitting room, where she put his head on a cushion and got a cold compress from the kitchen.
"Yuki, it can't be that bad!" Shigure said.
Ayame chose that moment to moan and sit up, a hand pressed to his forehead. "Really little brother, your room looks fine." he looked around and sighed. "Oh, well. He'll learn to like it." He said. He smiled over at Tohru, who was still clutching the towel. "Do you want to see what I've brought?" he asked, pulling the bag closer to the table.
"You really shouldn't have!" Tohru said, wringing her hands. "I don't know what I can do to thank you all for all these presents, and how kind you've all been to me."
"Nonsense!" Shigure said. "You're FAMILY Tohru! We'd do anything for family. Besides, you deserve all you get and more." He said with a warm smile.
"Thank you." Tohru said, blushing a bright pink.
"You're going to love this!" Ayame said, beaming at her. "I'm afraid I had to.reconfigure some of your animals, but I think you're going to ADORE the result!" he said, pulling the first animal out of the bag. It was the little stuffed cat, but changed. Where before it had a benign smile on its face, now it was scowling, with a small vein popping on its head. It had a small pair of khaki slacks and a black tee shirt on, much like Kyo was always wearing.
Tohru laughed in delight. "Ayame! It's so cute!" she said, clutching it close. "It looks just like him!"
"It does not!" Kyo said, blushing.
"I did an even better job on 'Shigure'!" Ayame said, digging in the bag and pulling out the dog. Shigure burst out laughing. Not only was the dog wearing a yukata just like his, it had a small brush in it's mouth and a pair of wire glasses perched on the bridge of it's nose.
"That's adorable!" Tohru said, grabbing it too. "What else did you do?" She asked, peering into the bag.
Ayame pulled it back with a teasing grin. "Now now, patience." He said, reaching into the bag again and pulling out the rat. It had been bleached to turn it white, like Yuki's cursed form. The eyes had been changed to Yuki's vivid purple, and its little outfit was the white silk shirt and pants that Yuki usually wore. Tohru's eyes shone as she clutched each new revelation to her chest. After the rat, came 'Haru', who had on a little pair of chaps, and 'Ritsu', who had on a small men's kimono. The biggest hit had to be Ha-chan, whose fins had been altered to cover one heavily lashed eye.
"Aya, you've outdone yourself!" Shigure said, holding up the boar, who had a little kitty backpack strapped to its back.
"I was thinking about making one for each member of the zodiac." Said Ayame. "But I haven't shown you my favorite yet!" He said, pulling out one last animal. Or was it? Tohru picked it up and promptly went swirl eyed. It was a small rice ball in an outfit identical to her old high school uniform. It even had little bows to either side of its 'head'. Ayame laughed at her face. "Well, I couldn't make one for all of us and leave you out, now could I?" he asked.
"Its your best work yet, Aya!" Shigure said, chuckling.
"Why, thank you 'Gure!" Ayame said, batting his eyes. "Of course, I worked extra hard on your doll. Just to show my love for you!"
"Oh Aya, you're so good to me!" Shigure said, tears pouring down his face.
"I know Shigure!" Ayame said, "But your gratitude makes every second worth it! Shigure!" He flung himself forward, arms outstretched.
"Aya!" Shigure said, leaning forward as well. Just as they were about to collide, their fingers extended, touching in their 'secret handshake.'
"Yes!" They said, beaming.
"Oh grow up." Kyo said, frowning at them. He picked up the rabbit, which had a little pink jacket. "This is even more annoying than the real thing."
"Leave Tohru's gifts alone!" Ayame said indignantly, snatching the pink clad bunny away from the scowling cat. He handed the toy back to Tohru, who picked up all her new and improved stuffed animals with difficulty, and started to take them upstairs, out of temptations way.
"Oh Tohru! Leave 'Yuki' here! I want my darling brother to see it!" Ayame said. Tohru nodded and put the rat on the cushion, where she had been sitting. "I'll be right back."
"Tell Yuki to come down!" Ayame called after her. "I want to see his face when he sees his likeness!"
"So do I." Kyo said, smirking. He wiped his face clean of all expression when Yuki came downstairs, accompanied by Tohru.
"What?" He asked, slightly sour faced. He blinked when he saw the rat sitting at the table. "What is that?"
"Oh, you didn't see the others?" Shigure asked, the picture of innocence.
"Yes, but I thought for once in his life he has some sense and didn't make one of me."
"Oh, Yuki! How could I leave my darling baby brother out of our little animal family?" Ayame asked.
"Easily." Yuki said, glaring at his brother.
"I thought it was cute." Tohru said, looking at the floor.
Yuki looked over at her and sighed. "It looks so.silly." He said.
"You didn't see Shigure's, I guess." Kyo said. "You got off lucky."
"What did you do to Shigure?" Yuki asked.
"I thought it was an excellent likeness!" Shigure sniffed.
"It was. That's the problem." Kyo said.
"Thank you again for the animals, Ayame, they're really cute!" Tohru said. "I've put them around my room, but I have to arrange them better later."
"I'm so glad you like them!" Ayame said. "I'm afraid Mine thought I was crazy, making clothing for dolls and such, but it was for a worthy cause!"
"She's only just now realizing you're crazy? How long has she been working with you?" Yuki asked.
"Oh, she's been with me since the shop opened!" Ayame said, cheerfully ignoring the rest of the sentence.
"And you haven't driven her crazy yet?" Yuki asked, looking surprised.
"I don't annoy EVERYONE you know!" Ayame said, frowning.
"Just most of them." Kyo said. He looked at his watch. "Aw, crap! I'm late!" he said, charging out of the room.
"Forgive me for this horrible pun, but he ran out of here like a scalded cat. What is he late for?" Ayame asked, looking confused.
"He started teaching at the dojo last month." Tohru said. "His first class starts at ten, and he has to catch the nine o'clock train to get there on time." She looked at the clock. "I hope he makes it."
"He'll catch it." Shigure said reassuringly. "I know for a fact that the nine o'clock is always at least five minutes late."
"Well, that's good to know!" Tohru said, smiling cheerfully. Then she looked dismayed. "Oh no! I forgot to pack his lunch!"
"Don't worry. I'm sure Kazuma will feed him." Yuki said. "Now, I know you had another reason for coming today, brother, besides bringing Tohru her dolls and annoying me."
"Oh, thank you for reminding me!" Ayame said. "Tohru, how would you feel about another modeling job?"
"Another one?" She asked, looking startled. "Don't you want me to do yours? The next one is in a little less than two months, right?"
"You'll still be doing MY shows, this is a separate engagement. A man at your first show is doing a children's catalogue, and he wants you to be in some of the pictures."
"A children's catalogue?"
"Yes, you know, children's clothing and toys and things." Ayame said, waving a hand. "You wouldn't be one of the children of course, you would be doing things like holding the toddlers and babies doing the actual modeling. You would probably be a nanny or a mother. You would be paid a small flat fee, and you would get a small bonus for every picture the catalogue uses with you in it."
"I think I could do that." Tohru said, smiling.
"Wonderful! I'll call her as soon as I get to the shop." Ayame said. "You might think about turning modeling into a career, Tohru."
"Oh, I couldn't do that!" Tohru said. "It's not concrete enough! I'd want to do something that I would be sure I could keep doing."
"Tohru, with your sweet face, you could model until you chose to retire." Shigure said, beaming at her, then winked. "Or until you decided to stay home with the children, whatever comes first." Tohru blushed like a rose.
"Stop embarrassing her, Shigure." Yuki said. "She can do whatever she wants."
"I never said she couldn't!" Shigure said indignantly. "I was just saying she would make a wonderful mother, that's all!"
"No you didn't." Ayame said, shaking his head. He got up from the table. "Well, I must be off. I told Mine we would be opening the shop at noon, and I have some more errands to run! Ta ta!" He said, waving to the room in general. He left through the veranda entrance, humming happily to himself as he went.
"I' still amazed he's my brother." Yuki said. "Tohru, I have some business I need to take care of at the main house, and I wondered if you might like to come with me?"
"Sure." Tohru said. "Let me go get my coat." She hurried upstairs.
"Why do you need to go to the main house?" Shigure asked. "I haven't heard about any major disputes."
"It's not a dispute. I have to oversee some things about the New Year's celebration."
"That's not for another five months!" Shigure said. "What could you possibly have to oversee?"
"Well, there's the sheer amount of food to order, and the invitations to have printed, and the dance outfit to be made." Yuki sighed. "I never realized just how much planning went into the New Year's celebration."
"Ah, the trials of a young Clan Head." Shigure said teasingly.
"Shut up Shigure. I'm still looking for a volunteer to teach Hiro the dance." Yuki said warningly. Shigure fell silent.
Tohru bounced into the room, still tucking her scarf in. "I'm ready!" she said, beaming.
"Fine." Yuki said. "Shall we go?"
"Ok." Tohru said. "Shigure, there's leftovers in the fridge for lunch, and I think we'll be back before dinner. If we're not, just order out." She said, tugging on her gloves.
"You're so kind, Tohru, to worry about my regular meals." Shigure said, tears running down his face.
"Don't worry about him, Tohru, he's a big boy, he can take care of himself." Yuki said, smiling at Shigure's indignant huff.
"I know, but I like to." Tohru said. "Bye Shigure!"
"Be safe!" He said, going into his office to get some work done.
"Thank you! That wasn't as hard as I thought it'd be." She said, smiling. She had changed back into her street clothes after the show, and gone out to meet her boys.
"And the turnout was huge! Who knew the stupid snakes designs could be so popular?" Kyo said, glancing around at the numerous people still gathered, hoping to talk to Ayame, who was holding court in the corner. He was sparkling brightly, basking in the admiration of the people around him.
His eyes lit up when he spotted the group. He ran forward, the crowd around him splitting like the red sea. "Tohru! Kyo! Baby brother!" he said, clutching Tohru and Yuki to his chest. He didn't even try for Kyo, or he might have been unconscious. He turned to the following crowd and beamed. "Everyone, meet my little brother and his charming bride!" Yuki shrugged his brother off, but refrained from hitting him, simply because there were too many witnesses. He just glared Black Death at Ayame, promising future damage.
"Stop hogging the chick, boss man." Mariko said, pulling Tohru away from Ayame. "C'mon, I wanna introduce you to some of the girls. You're gonna be workin' with 'em for a few months, better know their names." They disappeared in the crowd, leaving the men to gape after them.
"Oh god. Not another Yankee." Kyo said, running his hand through his hair. "I don't think I can take another one."
"Don't worry, Lucky Kyo, she's just here for the shows. After that she goes right back to Tokyo." Ayame said
"Stop calling me that!" Kyo snapped. "Where's Tohru? We were gonna." he glanced at the people around them, listening avidly. "Never mind." He said, blushing.
Ayame twinkled. "Oh, were you planning on taking Tohru out to celebrate her big debut?" He put a hand over his heart. "That's so.! Oh, words fail me." He started searching the crowd for the two delinquent girls, then started dragging the two boys over to where Tohru was surrounded by a few of the other models. "Oh Tohru!" he sang, "you have to say goodbye to your little friends now, these two have something for you!"
Mariko smirked. "I'll bet." She said.
"Hey, Tohru, if you don't want it, I'll take it." Said a tall girl, leering at the two boys. She laughed when the boys blushed. "I'll bet they give good 'presents'."
"Oh yes!" Said Tohru. "Yuki once gave me ribbons." A look of horror crossed Yuki's face. Ayame snickered. "And Kyo taught me how hit!" It was Kyo's turn to look horrified.
"And I'll bet you had fun when they gave you those presents." Mariko said, grinning evilly.
"Uh huh!" Tohru said cheerfully.
"Well, we'll just let you three go.have fun." Said Mariko. "I'll see you later, angel."
Yuki and Kyo took Tohru's hands and led her away, faces burning. She looked from one to the other, unable to understand why they were so quiet. As soon as they were out the door, everyone who had been listening keeled over, clutching their stomachs laughing.
* * *
"So where are we going?" Tohru asked, swinging their linked hands.
"We thought we'd go get a packed lunch." Said Yuki, still blushing. "And eat it in the park."
"Oh! A picnic!" Tohru said happily. "What park?"
"The one with all the ducks." Said Kyo. "I knew you liked to feed 'em."
"Uh huh!" They came to a restaurant that sold boxed lunches and bought three, plus a day old loaf of bread. They made their way to the park and sat on a bench beside the lake, peacefully eating their sandwiches. Tohru tossed a crust of her bread to a passing swan. It snatched it out of the water and started preening, begging for more. Tohru laughed and tossed it another crust, attracting the swan's mate. It swam over regally, a swarm of babies darting here and there around it. Tohru squealed with excitement, startling the babies. She fell silent, and when the first baby came close enough to grab a piece of bread, the rest followed. Tohru abandoned her own lunch to toss little pieces of the loaf of bread to the babies and parents, who eagerly gobbled up the offered tidbits. Yuki and Kyo sat and watched, smiling at her enthusiasm.
She turned and offered them a handful of breadcrumbs, gesturing them forward so they could feed the swans as well. They stood and joined her at the water's edge, tossing chunks of bread to the bickering swans until the bag was empty. When the swans had swam away, they returned to the bench, talking about everything and nothing, until the sun started to set.
* * *
"We're home!" Tohru said, hurrying into the house. Yuki and Kyo followed at a more sedate pace.
"Ah, perfect timing!" Shigure said. "Look who came for a visit!"
"Hey Tohru." Uo said, coming into the hallway. "Did you like your present?" She grinned when the two boys suddenly flushed a bright red. "I guess the boys did."
"Shut up, Yankee!" Kyo snapped. He went back outside, and they heard a thump as he climbed the ladder to the roof. "Tell me when she leaves!" he yelled through the roof tiles.
"Strange boy." Hana said, when they came into the sitting room. "You would think marriage would settle him down a bit."
Tohru laughed nervously. "So! How have you two been?" She asked, blatantly trying to change the subject.
"We've been fine." Hana said. "Megume told me to tell you he's checked all his books. There's nothing he can do, he would have to have a copy of the spell itself."
"We guessed that." Said Yuki. "We're adjusting."
"So we heard." Uo said. "How did the date go?" She asked, grinning wickedly at Tohru's horrible blush.
"Uo, stop teasing her." Hana said, taking a sip of the tea Shigure had apparently served them while they were waiting for the trio. Yuki looked at her in gratitude. "You saw them when they came in. If it had gone as well as we hoped, they would be blushing far worse than they are now." Shigure laughed while Yuki frizzed and Tohru went white eyed. Hana took pity on her when it was apparent she didn't know what to say. "Tohru, we're out of snacks. Would you mind.?" She asked, holding up an empty plate. Tohru gladly took the plate and vanished into the kitchen.
"Still shy as ever." Uo said, smiling. She followed Tohru into the kitchen, probably to continue their conversation.
They all jumped when the door suddenly snapped open. "Tohru!" Momiji sang, frolicking into the room. "Hello everyone! Tohru! Where are you?"
"I'm in here, Momiji!" Tohru said, coming back to the sitting room, Uo following. She was carrying a large plate of rice cakes, which she sat on the table in easy reach, then sat down herself.
"Tohru!" Momiji said, running forward and throwing his arms around her neck. He had finally gotten his growth spurt, and he had grown into his men's clothing, like Haru said he would. His voice had also changed, to end up just a bit higher than Hatori's.
Tohru laughed and hugged him back, once more grateful for Akito's gift. "How are you, Momiji?"
"I'm fine. I just thought I'd come tell you something! Mitsue Sohma is pregnant!"
"That's wonderful news!" Shigure said, beaming. "That's my second cousin, isn't it?"
"Yeah. And odds are, it's our new clan Head." Momiji said, face darkening for a second. He sighed and looked around, smiling brightly when he spotted Hana and Uo watching the group from the table. "Hi you two! What are you doing here?"
"Came to visit Tohru." Uo said.
"And to check on the curse, and how it was progressing." Hana said, sipping at her tea. "Kyo, you might want to come in and join us. This concerns you as well." She waited until a scowling Kyo had entered the room, then continued. "If you still want to break it, you have to do it in the next three months. Or it will be too late. Your signals are almost fully intertwined."
"I thought you said we had a year!" Yuki said, looking disturbed.
"I thought you did too, but as I said before, I've never seen anything like this curse before. I was going by the rate I observed that night. Factors have combined to make the curse accelerate greatly."
"Like what?" Shigure asked.
"Well, I can assume the dating has something to do with it." Hana said. "Physical and mental closeness could have done it."
"And they have been getting close." Shigure said, nodding.
"So just how close have you been getting?" Uo asked, nudging Kyo.
He blushed hotly and jumped up. "None of your damn business, Yankee!"
"Aww, did I embarrass you, Orange Top?" Uo asked, grinning evilly. "I guess you're right, though. Anything that happens between you three in the bedroom is entirely your business."
"Shut up!" Kyo snarled, fists clenched.
"Miss Uotani, please stop provoking him." Yuki said, frowning. He looked meaningfully over at Tohru, who was once again blushing brightly, staring at the table. His message was clear. Stop embarrassing Tohru.
Uo sighed and stood up. "Well, I don't know about you Hana, but I gotta go. I have a job interview."
"I have to leave too. My brother has a play at his school tonight, and I have to attend." Hana said, standing as well. "Remember, three months." She said, before leaving the house with Uo.
"So, just how close HAVE you gotten?" Momiji asked, smirking.
"None of your business, Momiji." Yuki said, glaring. "Miss Honda, shall we go to the base? I'm sure it needs weeding."
"Sure! Just let me take these into the kitchen." Tohru said, collecting the dirty plates and cups. Once they were in the sink, she joined Yuki on the porch and they started off down the path.
"Where are you two goin'? Kyo asked, peering down from the edge of the roof.
"We're going to the base." Yuki said. "It hasn't been seen to in days. Would you like to come too?"
"Nah. I have to do some stuff. You go on. Just don't bring home any leeks!" Kyo said, shuddering as he disappeared from view.
Tohru laughed. "We didn't plant any this time, Kyo!" She called. A grunt was her only reply and they continued on to the base.
"So what do you want to plant next year, Tohru?" Yuki asked, when they reached the base. "I thought maybe we could try tomatoes. We've never had those before."
"Oh, that sounds good!" Said Tohru. "How about we try and expand the base this year? Since there's two of us, we could probably have a few more things."
"Like what?" Yuki asked, tucking his hands in his pockets. "We've got carrots, strawberries, turnips, and lettuce. What else could we put in?"
"Well, like you said, we could do tomatoes, and corn is always good." Said Tohru, thinking hard.
"What about peas? I've always liked peas." Yuki said.
"I do too!" Said Tohru. "Do we have room for potatoes?"
"I think so." By this time they had made it to the base, and they both kneeled down to remove weeds from around the half-grown plants. It really didn't have that many weeds, but it did need a good watering. Tohru went and got some water from the nearby stream in a sprinkling can and started watering the lines of vegetables they had already weeded, while Yuki finished pulling the small weeds from around the strawberries. They worked in a comfortable silence, then Tohru started to hum.
"What's that song? It's very nice." Yuki said, smiling at her.
"Oh, it's just a little song I heard a long time ago. I've forgotten the words, but it's a pretty song."
"It is. Especially when you sing it." Yuki said, eyes warm. Tohru blushed. "Please, sing it again."
She hesitantly started to hum the song, smiling when Yuki joined in, humming with her while they finished watering the small plot of ground.
* * *
"Would you mind if I went first on the individual date?" Yuki asked Kyo that night, when they had come in from the base. "I have an idea, and I want to do it tomorrow."
"Fine with me. I have one too, but it can't happen until next week." Kyo said, nodding. He lay back on the cool roof tiles, watching the stars twinkle overhead.
"Really? What's your idea?" Yuki asked, curious.
"What's yours?" Kyo asked, smirking. Yuki refused to answer, blushing. "Same goes for me." He said.
"Touché." Yuki said, shaking his head. "I have to go out later, to get ready for the surprise. Can you keep her busy long enough for me to get out of the house?"
"Yeah."
"Thanks." Yuki said, climbing down the ladder, leaving Kyo alone on the roof.
* * *
"Where are we going?" Tohru asked, smiling. They were walking along the forest path, towards town, hands clasped lightly. Yuki had told her to get ready; he had to take her somewhere. She had cleaned up and slipped into a dress, humming happily. She always enjoyed surprises.
"If I told you, it wouldn't be a surprise." Yuki said, smiling. "Besides, we're almost there." He grabbed her hand and they continued down the road, joined hands swinging between them. He pulled her to a stop at the tree line. "We're here." Yuki said, pulling a branch aside to reveal an orchard. The trees were all in blossom, perfuming the air with a variety of fragrances.
Tohru took a deep breath of the perfumed air. "Yuki, it's beautiful!" she said, beaming at him. "Are we going to take a walk?"
"No, we're going to pick out our plants." Yuki said, pulling her to the small building in the middle of the orchard.
"Oh! For the garden? We're going to expand it today?" She asked.
"No. For the Zodiac Garden." Said Yuki.
"Huh?" Tohru asked, looking puzzled.
"You'll see." Yuki said, smiling mysteriously. "Mr. Yamata! Are you here?"
"I'm in here young man!" A voice called from the building. A stooped, wrinkled old man came out of the building, smiling at them. He was covered in compost. "I suppose you two are the Sohmas?"
"Yes. Have we come at a bad time?" Yuki asked, frowning.
"Oh no. I was just repotting some roses for a lady." Mr. Yamata said, waving his hand negligently. "Are you ready to pick your plants?"
"Yes. We'd like to see the trees first, if you don't mind." Yuki said.
"Not at all, not at all." Mr. Yamata said, heading towards a grove of potted fruit trees. "Right this way."
"What are we doing here?" Tohru asked, looking around at all the trees.
"I thought you might like a place you could go, away from the insanity that frequently occurs at home." Yuki said. "We're going to get thirteen fruit trees, one for each zodiac member, and another plant just for you. I found a new clearing, not far from the house, where I thought we could create a secret base, all your own."
Tohru smiled at Yuki, tears in her eyes. She hugged him tightly, then pulled him into the masses of trees, searching for the right trees for her own private grove.
* * *
It had been a long day, but they finally found a tree for every member of the zodiac. They had gotten three different types of apple tree for Ayame, Shigure, and Hatori. Kyo had gotten a lemon tree. Haru and Kagura were persimmon trees. Kisa and Hiro were pear trees. Yuki had chosen a cherry tree. Rin was an apricot. Kureno was a crab apple, and Momiji and Ritsu were peach.
Once they found the trees, they couldn't stop. They bought blueberry, raspberry, and blackberry bushes, and a wire fence for them to climb. They also got some grape vines, and an arbor for THEM to climb. A bench was going in the arbor, where it would be shaded. The last thing they bought was a birdbath.
"Do you think we over did it?" Tohru asked, when they finally got the bill. Her eyes spun at the amount.
"Not at all." Yuki said, handing Mr. Yamata a credit card. "Tohru, you don't have to worry about money. My father was fairly well off. When he passed away, his solicitors invested most of his money. It's amassed to quite a sum."
"So, you're rich?" Tohru asked, eyes spinning.
"Why do you think I've never had to work?" Yuki asked, smiling. "Thank you." He said, taking his credit card away from Mr. Yamata, and arranging for the plants and fence to be delivered to Shigure's house that afternoon. "Shall we head home and decide where everything is going to go?" Yuki asked.
"Ok." Tohru said. "Do you think the clearing is big enough for all of this?"
"I'm sure it is. The only reason I didn't use that clearing for MY base was because it was too close to the house. I thought you might prefer it if it was close."
"I would! Thank you so much, Yuki! Now I have my own base!" She said, smiling.
"I thought you'd like it." Yuki said. They returned to the house and Yuki led her to the clearing. It was a large, flat area, with a small stream on one side. Dappled sunlight poured into the clearing, illuminating the thick carpet of green grass. "It's so pretty!" Tohru said.
"I'm glad you like it. Come see what I thought we could do with the trees." He said. They decided to put the trees in different spots in the clearing, instead of bunching them together, or putting them in even rows. The fence for the bushes would go on the far side of the clearing, and the grape arbor would be in the middle. The birdbath would go beside the arbor.
"Yuki! Tohru!" Shigure called. "There's a big truck parked outside my house!"
"It's here!" Tohru squealed, dashing ahead. She was bouncing around the truck, pointing out the different types of trees to an amused Shigure and Kyo.
"So which apple am I?" Shigure asked.
"Granny Smith." Yuki said, smirking as he signed the delivery sheet.
"You're so cruel!" Shigure said, tears flowing down his face.
"I know. Now help us carry these into the clearing." Yuki said, picking up the cherry tree. Shigure and Kyo both picked up a pear while Tohru carried the bushes. After several trips, they had all the plants in the clearing, along with the fencing and the arbor.
"Well, that's it." Shigure said, cracking his back after putting down the last crab apple. "I need to go and finish my latest manuscript. Poor Mii. She was so upset when she found out I wasn't done." He trotted off, giggling to himself.
"That guy needs help." Kyo said, shaking his head. "D'you need help planting them?"
Yuki looked at Kyo, then Tohru. "That would be fine." He said. "Where do you think Shigure hid the shovels? And the hammer and nails?"
"As far from him as he could get them." Yuki said. He looked at Kyo. "Shed." They said together, and went to get the tools.
* * *
"It looks so nice!" Tohru said, looking around the newly decorated clearing. The trees had been moved around a bit, but otherwise the entire setup was as planned. The bushes and grape vines were a little scanty, but they'd grow out and cover the fence and arbor in a profusion of vines eventually, with lots of care.
"It looks good." Kyo said, rolling his shoulders. "Anyone else hungry?"
As if on cue, Yuki's stomach growled loudly, causing Kyo to smirk at him, while Tohru laughed. "I guess that's a yes." She said, smiling at a blushing Yuki. "I'll go make dinner." She took one last look around at the new garden, and left, skipping all the way.
"Good idea." Kyo said, shaking his head.
"Thanks." Yuki said, smiling. "I thought she should have her own place, where she can go to be alone for a while if she wants to."
"It was a good idea." He smirked. "But mine's gonna be better."
* * *
Shigure jumped as another thump sounded on the roof. "What one earth is he doing up there?"
"I don't know. He wouldn't tell me." Tohru said. "He's been up and down the ladder all day, though."
"I'd love to know what he's up to." Shigure said.
"He told me to tell you if he catches you on that ladder, he'd break both your legs and tell your editor you were finished with your latest manuscript early."
Shigure shuddered and said no more about it.
* * *
Kyo sighed and wiped the sweat off his forehead. He had been working on it all day, but it was finally done. Now all he had to do was get Tohru up here. He went down the ladder and into the kitchen, where Tohru was making dinner. "Hey."
Tohru jumped. "Oh, Kyo, you scared me!" She said, eyes white. "Are you done working on your project?"
"Yeah. Wanna come see?" he asked, rubbing the back of his neck.
"Sure! Let me just put this on the table, and we'll go up." She said, putting the rice in a bowl. She carried it out to the table, where Shigure and Yuki were seated. "Kyo and I are going to go see what he's been working on. We'll be back." She said cheerfully.
"I wouldn't count on it." Shigure muttered. Kyo glared at him. "I didn't say anything." He whimpered.
Tohru looked puzzled for a minute. "Um, ok. Go ahead and start dinner." She said, following Kyo to the ladder on the side of the house. "So what did you want to." Tohru trailed off when she saw what Kyo had been working on all day. A platform had been built on the roof, big enough for perhaps four people to sit comfortably. At the moment, it was spread with a tablecloth, two plates, bread, cheese, a bottle of sparkling water, and fruit.
Kyo was blushing. "I thought you might like to watch the meteor shower tonight. It's supposed to be pretty cool." He smiled. "It's also kinda like a celebration. I start working with the Master tomorrow."
"I'd love to!" Tohru said, eyes shining. "You set all this up? It must have taken all day!"
"It wasn't that hard." Kyo said.
"I really appreciate it." Tohru said, smiling at him. "When will it start?"
"We have time to eat before they start falling." Kyo said, putting a few pieces of cheese and bread on a plate and handing it to her, then fixed one for himself.
"This is so nice." Tohru said, nibbling on a piece of cheese. "I love meteor showers."
"I'm glad." Kyo said, swallowing his mouthful. He pointed to the sky. "Look, there goes the first one!" They reclined on the pillows, still nibbling on their dinner, as the streaks of light blazed overhead. After about an hour, Kyo worked up the courage to hold her hand. It was midnight before they came down.
* * *
"Hello everyone!" Ayame said, coming into the sitting room. He was carrying a massive bag over one shoulder, and he looked like a very young Santa Claus. He stopped in the doorway, frowning, when he saw no one was in the sitting room. "Where is everyone?" He muttered. He put the bag down and went into the study, where he was sure he would find Shigure, but the dog was absent. Ayame crossed his arms and stuck up his nose. "Well! I come to visit and no one is here to greet me! How rude!" He stood there for a second, then sighed and continued his search. It just wasn't any fun being dramatic if no one was there to appreciate it.
He checked every room in the house, but not a living soul was there except himself. "I suppose I could wait, but just SITTING is so boring!" He went back into the sitting room, where he plunked himself down on the cushions, pouting.
He was up again in seconds. "I can't just SIT." He said to himself. "Maybe there's something I could do in the kitchen." He wandered into the kitchen, where some dishes from breakfast were sitting in the drainer, drying. He got a towel and started patting the water off a plate, and put it away. He kept going until the drainer was empty. It took all of five minutes.
"Well, now what?" He said. He started wandering around the house again, looking for something to keep himself busy, and found Yuki's room. Like any teenage male, it was a little messy. While there was no mold growing on anything, it was a little dusty, and there were clothes lying everywhere. Ayame looked around in distaste. "What a mess! And it's so small! My baby brother deserves far more!" He picked up a shirt and tossed it in a pile with a pair of slacks and a stray sock or two. His eyes lit up. "I know! I'll clean it for him!" he said, picking up more of the stray clothing. It took two trips to the laundry room before the room was tidy enough to start dusting. Ayame had found an old handkerchief of Shigure's and tied it over his hair, plus a large apron to cover his robe.
He went into what can only be described as a cleaning frenzy, running a large cloth over the dusty surfaces in the room, taking it repeatedly to a window to be shaken out. Once the dusting was finished, he started to make the bed and put various books, magazines, and other things where he thought they should go. By the time he was done, the room sparkled. He put his hands on his hips and surveyed the area, beaming proudly. Not only had he cleaned, he had moved the furniture around a bit. Really, who ever heard of a bookshelf beside the window? Everyone KNEW that's where the bed should be! And the desk? Really, Yuki was lucky his loving older brother had straightened this mess out for him. He checked his watch and his face fell. It had taken less than half an hour to do the entire room.
Ayame sighed and pulled the handkerchief out of his hair. "I'm exhausted." He said, running a hand over his brow. He looked horrified at the drops of sweat glistening on his hand. "That won't do!" he said, frowning. "I simply MUST have a bath!" he decided. "That will give the others a chance to get home as well." He marched into the bathroom, closing the door behind him.
* * *
"That garden is beautiful, Tohru." Shigure said, beaming at her. "You're going to be able to make your very own fruits basket, eventually." She had dragged him down to see her new base that morning, and he was suitably impressed.
"I know." Tohru said. "But just because I have my own base now doesn't mean I'm not gonna help you with yours, Yuki!" she said, shaking her finger at him. "We're still expanding and putting in some corn and tomatoes, if nothing else."
"I wouldn't dream of stopping you. I was hoping we could help each other." Yuki said, smiling. "Shall we go home?"
"Ok! I have to finish the dishes anyway." Tohru said. "I was so excited to show you my garden, I left them in the drainer."
"That's all right. You have all day to finish your chores, Tohru. The only problem I have is I've gotten a sudden craving for fruit salad." Shigure said, winking. Tohru laughed.
"Ok, who went off and left the door open?" Kyo asked, frowning.
"I was the last one out, and I was sure I closed it behind me." Yuki said.
"I know you did." Shigure said. "I saw you do it."
"So why is it open now?" Tohru asked. She frizzed. "Someone's in the house!" She whispered fearfully.
"Stay here." Kyo said, cracking his knuckles. "I'll check it out."
"I'll go with you." Yuki said. "Shigure, you stay here. Tohru might need you."
"Are you sure?" Shigure asked, seriously.
"Yeah." Kyo said, heading for the house, Yuki right behind. "You'd just get in the way, anyway." Shigure huffed, but didn't argue.
Yuki and Kyo slipped soundlessly into the house, leaving the door open behind them, in case they needed to get out quickly. They peered into the main room, and saw the bag on the floor. They nodded to each other significantly. They slowly crept up the stairs, and into the hallway, where they heard a splashing in the bathroom. They tiptoed to the bathroom door, and flung it open, in a ready position.
"OH!" Ayame yelled, clutching a towel to his chest, eyes wide with fright. While the towel admirably covered his chest, it left his nether regions bare.
"Oh dear god! I'm blind!" Kyo said, stumbling away from the door. "I NEVER wanted to see that much of the damn snake!" He moaned, hands over his eyes, trying desperately to repress the image burned into his retinas.
"What the HELL are you doing?" Yuki snarled, glaring evilly.
It took Ayame a second to reply, completely shocked by Yuki's bad language. "Well! I should think it was obvious! I was taking a bath!" Ayame said, nose in the air.
"Why are you taking a bath here?!" Yuki said, incredulously. "And PUT SOME CLOTHES ON!"
"Oh! Sorry!" Ayame said, slipping his white under robe on quickly. "Really Yuki, you'd think I was robbing you!" He said, frowning. "All I did was take a nice bath while I was waiting for you to get home."
"You moron! We DID think we were being robbed!" Kyo growled. "You left the door open, and we saw that big bag in the dining room!"
"Oh, that!" Ayame said, beaming. "That's just Tohru's little gift."
"Moron." Kyo said, stomping down the stairs. He gestured for Shigure and Tohru to come in the house.
"What was it?" Tohru asked, eyes white.
"It was the STUPID snake!" Kyo said, steam practically coming out of his ears.
"Aya?" Shigure asked. "What is he doing here?"
"He brought a present for Tohru. He decided to have a bath while he was waiting." Kyo said sarcastically.
Shigure breathed a sigh of relief. "Oh, is that all?" He asked, cheerfully. "Well, let's not keep him waiting!" He ran up the front steps. "Aya! I'm here!" He called.
"He's a little, indisposed, at the moment." Yuki said, dragging the unconscious man down the stairs by his collar. Tohru started to flutter around the brothers, eyes spinning.
"Yuki! Really!" Shigure said, tisking. "So he gave us a scare, there was no harm done."
"You haven't seen what he's done to my room." Yuki said darkly. He flung the snake down beside Shigure and went back upstairs to try and undo some of the damage, while Tohru pulled Ayame into the sitting room, where she put his head on a cushion and got a cold compress from the kitchen.
"Yuki, it can't be that bad!" Shigure said.
Ayame chose that moment to moan and sit up, a hand pressed to his forehead. "Really little brother, your room looks fine." he looked around and sighed. "Oh, well. He'll learn to like it." He said. He smiled over at Tohru, who was still clutching the towel. "Do you want to see what I've brought?" he asked, pulling the bag closer to the table.
"You really shouldn't have!" Tohru said, wringing her hands. "I don't know what I can do to thank you all for all these presents, and how kind you've all been to me."
"Nonsense!" Shigure said. "You're FAMILY Tohru! We'd do anything for family. Besides, you deserve all you get and more." He said with a warm smile.
"Thank you." Tohru said, blushing a bright pink.
"You're going to love this!" Ayame said, beaming at her. "I'm afraid I had to.reconfigure some of your animals, but I think you're going to ADORE the result!" he said, pulling the first animal out of the bag. It was the little stuffed cat, but changed. Where before it had a benign smile on its face, now it was scowling, with a small vein popping on its head. It had a small pair of khaki slacks and a black tee shirt on, much like Kyo was always wearing.
Tohru laughed in delight. "Ayame! It's so cute!" she said, clutching it close. "It looks just like him!"
"It does not!" Kyo said, blushing.
"I did an even better job on 'Shigure'!" Ayame said, digging in the bag and pulling out the dog. Shigure burst out laughing. Not only was the dog wearing a yukata just like his, it had a small brush in it's mouth and a pair of wire glasses perched on the bridge of it's nose.
"That's adorable!" Tohru said, grabbing it too. "What else did you do?" She asked, peering into the bag.
Ayame pulled it back with a teasing grin. "Now now, patience." He said, reaching into the bag again and pulling out the rat. It had been bleached to turn it white, like Yuki's cursed form. The eyes had been changed to Yuki's vivid purple, and its little outfit was the white silk shirt and pants that Yuki usually wore. Tohru's eyes shone as she clutched each new revelation to her chest. After the rat, came 'Haru', who had on a little pair of chaps, and 'Ritsu', who had on a small men's kimono. The biggest hit had to be Ha-chan, whose fins had been altered to cover one heavily lashed eye.
"Aya, you've outdone yourself!" Shigure said, holding up the boar, who had a little kitty backpack strapped to its back.
"I was thinking about making one for each member of the zodiac." Said Ayame. "But I haven't shown you my favorite yet!" He said, pulling out one last animal. Or was it? Tohru picked it up and promptly went swirl eyed. It was a small rice ball in an outfit identical to her old high school uniform. It even had little bows to either side of its 'head'. Ayame laughed at her face. "Well, I couldn't make one for all of us and leave you out, now could I?" he asked.
"Its your best work yet, Aya!" Shigure said, chuckling.
"Why, thank you 'Gure!" Ayame said, batting his eyes. "Of course, I worked extra hard on your doll. Just to show my love for you!"
"Oh Aya, you're so good to me!" Shigure said, tears pouring down his face.
"I know Shigure!" Ayame said, "But your gratitude makes every second worth it! Shigure!" He flung himself forward, arms outstretched.
"Aya!" Shigure said, leaning forward as well. Just as they were about to collide, their fingers extended, touching in their 'secret handshake.'
"Yes!" They said, beaming.
"Oh grow up." Kyo said, frowning at them. He picked up the rabbit, which had a little pink jacket. "This is even more annoying than the real thing."
"Leave Tohru's gifts alone!" Ayame said indignantly, snatching the pink clad bunny away from the scowling cat. He handed the toy back to Tohru, who picked up all her new and improved stuffed animals with difficulty, and started to take them upstairs, out of temptations way.
"Oh Tohru! Leave 'Yuki' here! I want my darling brother to see it!" Ayame said. Tohru nodded and put the rat on the cushion, where she had been sitting. "I'll be right back."
"Tell Yuki to come down!" Ayame called after her. "I want to see his face when he sees his likeness!"
"So do I." Kyo said, smirking. He wiped his face clean of all expression when Yuki came downstairs, accompanied by Tohru.
"What?" He asked, slightly sour faced. He blinked when he saw the rat sitting at the table. "What is that?"
"Oh, you didn't see the others?" Shigure asked, the picture of innocence.
"Yes, but I thought for once in his life he has some sense and didn't make one of me."
"Oh, Yuki! How could I leave my darling baby brother out of our little animal family?" Ayame asked.
"Easily." Yuki said, glaring at his brother.
"I thought it was cute." Tohru said, looking at the floor.
Yuki looked over at her and sighed. "It looks so.silly." He said.
"You didn't see Shigure's, I guess." Kyo said. "You got off lucky."
"What did you do to Shigure?" Yuki asked.
"I thought it was an excellent likeness!" Shigure sniffed.
"It was. That's the problem." Kyo said.
"Thank you again for the animals, Ayame, they're really cute!" Tohru said. "I've put them around my room, but I have to arrange them better later."
"I'm so glad you like them!" Ayame said. "I'm afraid Mine thought I was crazy, making clothing for dolls and such, but it was for a worthy cause!"
"She's only just now realizing you're crazy? How long has she been working with you?" Yuki asked.
"Oh, she's been with me since the shop opened!" Ayame said, cheerfully ignoring the rest of the sentence.
"And you haven't driven her crazy yet?" Yuki asked, looking surprised.
"I don't annoy EVERYONE you know!" Ayame said, frowning.
"Just most of them." Kyo said. He looked at his watch. "Aw, crap! I'm late!" he said, charging out of the room.
"Forgive me for this horrible pun, but he ran out of here like a scalded cat. What is he late for?" Ayame asked, looking confused.
"He started teaching at the dojo last month." Tohru said. "His first class starts at ten, and he has to catch the nine o'clock train to get there on time." She looked at the clock. "I hope he makes it."
"He'll catch it." Shigure said reassuringly. "I know for a fact that the nine o'clock is always at least five minutes late."
"Well, that's good to know!" Tohru said, smiling cheerfully. Then she looked dismayed. "Oh no! I forgot to pack his lunch!"
"Don't worry. I'm sure Kazuma will feed him." Yuki said. "Now, I know you had another reason for coming today, brother, besides bringing Tohru her dolls and annoying me."
"Oh, thank you for reminding me!" Ayame said. "Tohru, how would you feel about another modeling job?"
"Another one?" She asked, looking startled. "Don't you want me to do yours? The next one is in a little less than two months, right?"
"You'll still be doing MY shows, this is a separate engagement. A man at your first show is doing a children's catalogue, and he wants you to be in some of the pictures."
"A children's catalogue?"
"Yes, you know, children's clothing and toys and things." Ayame said, waving a hand. "You wouldn't be one of the children of course, you would be doing things like holding the toddlers and babies doing the actual modeling. You would probably be a nanny or a mother. You would be paid a small flat fee, and you would get a small bonus for every picture the catalogue uses with you in it."
"I think I could do that." Tohru said, smiling.
"Wonderful! I'll call her as soon as I get to the shop." Ayame said. "You might think about turning modeling into a career, Tohru."
"Oh, I couldn't do that!" Tohru said. "It's not concrete enough! I'd want to do something that I would be sure I could keep doing."
"Tohru, with your sweet face, you could model until you chose to retire." Shigure said, beaming at her, then winked. "Or until you decided to stay home with the children, whatever comes first." Tohru blushed like a rose.
"Stop embarrassing her, Shigure." Yuki said. "She can do whatever she wants."
"I never said she couldn't!" Shigure said indignantly. "I was just saying she would make a wonderful mother, that's all!"
"No you didn't." Ayame said, shaking his head. He got up from the table. "Well, I must be off. I told Mine we would be opening the shop at noon, and I have some more errands to run! Ta ta!" He said, waving to the room in general. He left through the veranda entrance, humming happily to himself as he went.
"I' still amazed he's my brother." Yuki said. "Tohru, I have some business I need to take care of at the main house, and I wondered if you might like to come with me?"
"Sure." Tohru said. "Let me go get my coat." She hurried upstairs.
"Why do you need to go to the main house?" Shigure asked. "I haven't heard about any major disputes."
"It's not a dispute. I have to oversee some things about the New Year's celebration."
"That's not for another five months!" Shigure said. "What could you possibly have to oversee?"
"Well, there's the sheer amount of food to order, and the invitations to have printed, and the dance outfit to be made." Yuki sighed. "I never realized just how much planning went into the New Year's celebration."
"Ah, the trials of a young Clan Head." Shigure said teasingly.
"Shut up Shigure. I'm still looking for a volunteer to teach Hiro the dance." Yuki said warningly. Shigure fell silent.
Tohru bounced into the room, still tucking her scarf in. "I'm ready!" she said, beaming.
"Fine." Yuki said. "Shall we go?"
"Ok." Tohru said. "Shigure, there's leftovers in the fridge for lunch, and I think we'll be back before dinner. If we're not, just order out." She said, tugging on her gloves.
"You're so kind, Tohru, to worry about my regular meals." Shigure said, tears running down his face.
"Don't worry about him, Tohru, he's a big boy, he can take care of himself." Yuki said, smiling at Shigure's indignant huff.
"I know, but I like to." Tohru said. "Bye Shigure!"
"Be safe!" He said, going into his office to get some work done.