Hello all. I know I have been remiss in posting. The last time was over two months ago. It's been a rough two months, but I am finally back on track. I have this chapter ready to post and two more that just need to be put into my computer. I alsoknow how this story will end but sore wa himitsu desu.

As usual,Neither Fruits Basket nor the Fruits Basket characters belong to me, they are the property of Natsuke Takaya. Please R&R. Thank you so very much for your patience. I hope you will enjoy this chapter and that I have been able to live up to expectation.

Chapter 2 Hatori's Offer

"I'm home" Kyo called as he came through the front door.

Shigure looked up from the computer where he was working and glanced at the clock. Kyo had been at Kazuma's since early morning and now it was almost time for the evening meal. He idly wondered what had kept Kyo so long and decided to go find out. He'd been at work long enough for the day.

Tohru came out of the kitchen and gave Kyo a smile. "Kyo, hello. Welcome home. Dinner's almost ready."

"Hey, how was your day?"

"It was fantastic! Especially since Momiji-kun, Hatsuharu-san, and Yuki-kun joined Uo-chan, Hana-chan, and I at the amusement park. Uo-chan and Hana-chan were so kind to plan such a wonderful day for us all."

Kyo's eyes widened slightly. "I didn't know the guys were joining you" he said with a spark of anger. Then, he remembered what he had in his backpack and smiled. "I'm glad you had fun!"

"I did, but they did surprise us. It was Momiji-kun's idea of course. You know how he likes surprises."

Shigure paused on the stairs as he saw Kyo's smile. What was up with the cat?

Momiji came careening down the stairs and almost ran into Shigure. He stopped short and yelled around Shigure. "Hi Kyo! You should have been here. We had such a great time with Tohru and her friends. You could have come with us!"

"Momiji, please, this is not a huge house and Tohru-kun and Kyo can hear just fine!" Shigure slowly removed his fingers from his ears where he had placed them in self defense.

"Oh, sorry Shigure-sensei." Momiji bounded down the remaining steps and jumped on Kyo's back. "Kyo—why didn't you come home sooner? I really wanted you to go with us!"

"Because I had important stuff to take care of" he shouted as he pulled Momiji off of his back and held him at arm's length.

"Wow, Momiji, you've gotten taller. Your feet almost touch the floor now," Tohru said in surprise.

Kyo released Momiji and the smaller boy stumbled only slightly as his feet hit the floor.

"Yup! Papa says I'll be as tall as him soon." Momiji spun around and made a graceful bow in Tohru's direction. "And then Princess Tohru, I can truly be your prince" he concluded with a wink that belied the solemnity of his action.

"Oh Momiji, you can't mean that," Tohru said with a blush.

"But…" Momiji began and then Kyo was grinding his head into the floor mat.

"Stupid rabbit, every time you open your mouth I get pissed!!!" Kyo said with a growl.

"Tohru—Kyo's picking on me," Momiji whined as he spilled crocodile tears.

Tohru started giggling and Shigure noticed a suspicious twinkle in Kyo's eyes as he pounded the younger boy into the flooring."

What on earth? The idiot cat was only pretending anger. Shigure found himself extremely curious now.

Hatsuharu and Yuki came down the stairs to find out what was causing all of the commotion.

Yuki snapped "Stupid cat! Why don't you pick on someone your own size?"

Momiji forgotten, Kyo tossed his backpack aside and snarled "Damn rat! Why don't you bring it on girly boy! I can take you anytime!!!"

Yuki unbuttoned his collar and rolled his shirtsleeves up. "Don't bore me Kyo" he warned.

"uh….Yuki, Kyo, it's almost time for supper. Please don't start fighting now." Tohru pleaded.

Hatsuharu stepped between the two boys. "Yuki, Kyo, do you really want to fight when Tohru has been gone for two days and is finally home?"

The two boys continued to glare at each other but relaxed their postures.

"Forgive me Miss Honda, I really don't mean to disrupt your meal preparations."

"Yeah, I'm sorry too, Tohru." Yuki looked at Kyo closely. Since when did the cat address Miss Honda as Tohru?

"Uh huh, just as I thought…" Haru couldn't quite hide the grin on his face as he turned away. Momiji looked at Haru and decided to ask why later.

Just then the telephone rang. Tohru turned to answer it.

"That's okay Tohru-kun, I'll answer it, you go ahead with dinner." And Shigure turned to pick up the receiver.

Tohru smiled at the boys, "Please have a seat at the table, I'll be serving soon."

"I'll help Tohru, "and a blonde whirlwind flew past her as she returned to the kitchen.

"Why, Momiji, thank you."

"Tohru-kun, add one more plate, Ha-san is almost here."

"Oh good, he was going to try to join us tonight. However, he wasn't sure if he would be on time for dinner when I spoke to him earlier," Tohru said from the kitchen.

"What is this, Shinjuku station?" Kyo said in surprise.

"Nope, just Shigure station," Momiji decided.

"Not really," Tohru said as she brought the serving dishes to the table followed by Momiji with the dinnerware. "Yuki-kun was helping Hatsuharu-san and Momiji-kun with some math problems they need to complete before school starts again. Hatori-san said he had something he wished to discuss so I invited them all to stay for dinner."

"Oh, I see" and everyone began to place food on their plates.

"The door was unlocked so I walked in" Hatori said as he quietly appeared in the room and took everyone by surprise.

"Hatori-san welcome, please be seated. We were just beginning to eat."

"Ha-san, you really ought to knock before you enter someone's house" Shigure said with an aggrieved expression.

"Can it Shigure. Since when have I ever knocked at an open door, especially yours?"

The household was very quiet as everyone began to eat their meal. There was the usual desultory conversation about all the fun that had been had. Finally everyone was done.

"Momiji, we had better head back to the compound. We promised my folks we wouldn't be late getting home." Haru looked at the clock.

"Do we have to? I wanted to find out what Ha'ri-san is coming to discuss and I want to visit with Tohru some more."

"Momiji," Hatori said quietly, "You'll find out tomorrow. Now go home."

"Yes Ha'ri-san."

"Shigure-san, Hatori-san, I'll bring the coffee to the study," Tohru offered.

"Thank you Tohru-san and please bring a cup of tea for yourself. What I have to discuss concerns you directly."

"Me? Hatori-san?"

He nodded his head.

"Well okay then, I'll be up in a couple of minutes."

Two pair of eyes, one violet and one reddish-brown turned in Hatori's direction.

"Hatori…" Yuki arched a brow questioningly.

"It is nothing to be concerned about Yuki. We'll tell you and Kyo after I've had a chance to speak with Tohru-san."

The two boys looked at each other and shrugged. If Hatori said not to worry, then there was nothing to worry about. On the other hand, if Shigure had made the same statement…

Shigure frowned in mock dismay. "You two wouldn't have believed me if I had said the same thing. I am deeply hurt, after I've fed you and clothed you, and given you a place to live…do you see the injustice of it all Ha-san? Your word is gospel and mine is suspect!"

Yuki and Hatori both rolled their eyes and Kyo sat back on his heels in exasperation. "That damn dog, always over-dramatizing everything" he thought.

Suddenly Shigure's expression sharpened and he spoke in total sincerity. "Yuki, Kyo, there are times when I may not tell you the whole truth, but not about this, not now. In my own way I care for Tohru-kun as much as the two of you. Believe me when I say I want to protect her from Akito's threats as much as you do. After all…I would starve without our lovely flower's cooking or be forced to eat bento all the time once more."

"Shigure!" Kyo and Yuki both glared at him.

He grinned and headed to his study. It would be quite out of character for him to stay serious too long, he thought. Hatori followed closely behind him.

"Shigure, why must you torture those two so heartlessly?"

"Because it's fun!"

Again his mood changed. "Ha-san, what I said, it is true. If it is within my power I will not allow Akito to harm Tohru-kun."

"I know it is Shigure, which is why you worry me at times."

"Ha-san, I didn't know you cared"

Shigure's chuckle faded away just as Tohru entered with the coffee tray.

"Tohru-kun, you spoil us confirmed old bachelors shamelessly." He said as he noted the selection of cookies and cakes she had prepared with the coffee. "Don't you think so Ha-san?"

"Yes Shigure, I will have to agree with you this time. Tohru-san does make our lives much happier."

"Oh no, it is nothing. You two are always so kind to me that it makes me happy if I can help in anyway. Besides, you two aren't old."

The two men smiled gently.

"Please have a seat Tohru-kun. We have a proposal to present to you."

"Oh okay." After serving them with coffee and placing the tray within easy reach of both, Tohru sat down in the chair opposite the two. She took a sip of tea and waited quietly for them to begin. "Oh Mom, I wonder what this could be about?"

Shigure began the conversation. "As you know Tohru-kun, Hatori has been without an assistant since Kana left a few years ago. In the last few months he has been treating more patients than any one man can reasonably handle."

"I've noticed that. Each time I go to visit Akito-san there are always many people waiting to be seen by Hatori-san. Are they all Sohmas? Does this have anything to do with me?"

"Quite a lot as a matter of fact. Ha-san, would you like to explain?"

"You see Tohru, I have begun to feel that I need someone to help me in my office. I am looking for someone that could be my receptionist, file clerk, and secretary. From time to time I have to leave quickly because Akito experiences sudden illnesses and he is always my first priority. It would make my job much easier knowing that this person can ease my patient's fears and keep them calm until I return. If I am going to be a while, appointments may have to be rescheduled and my calendar updated."

I can see where an assistant for Hatori-san would be a lot of help, but I don't understand what this has to do with me unless…" Tohru's eyes lit up.

"I see you've figured it out Tohru-kun." Shigure said approvingly.

"Yes Tohru-san, I would like to offer this job to you." Hatori confirmed. "This would mean leaving your current job and coming to work for me full time. You would receive a fair salary and I would teach you some of the basic techniques. This will help you in the future if you should seek employment elsewhere for some reason. Physician's assistants are in high demand."

"Hatori-san, I am very flattered by the offer, but won't it upset Akito to have me underfoot everyday within his home? Besides, what if I can't do the job, what if your patients don't like me, what if…"

"Tohru-kun, calm down" Shigure placed his hand on Tohru's and she was calm once more.

"I have already spoken with Akito about this. As a matter of fact, he agreed that you would be a very good choice for this position. Are you interested?"

"He did? I'm surprised. Sometimes I think he doesn't even like me, Akito-san I mean. Yes, I am very interested, but this is too kind. Are you sure I am the right person?" ("Oh Mom, this is too good to be true")

"I believe you to be very well suited to what I am offering. You may take a couple of days to decide if you wish. Today is Wednesday; I will expect an answer on Friday."

"Hatori-san this is a wonderful offer, I will be sure to have an answer for you on Friday."

"Very well then, Shigure, Tohru-san, I will say good night and show myself out the door. Please come to me with your reply after you see Akito on Friday."

"Oh, I will. Thank you very much for considering me for this job Hatori-san"

Hatori left promptly so he could get back to the house and Akito.

Tohru turned her big sea green eyes towards Shigure. "Shigure-san, do really think I can do this?"

"Certainly you can Tohru-kun. Talk it over with Yuki, Kyo, and anyone else you like and I think they will all agree this is the perfect job for you and an excellent opportunity to prepare for the future."

"Thank you Shigure-san. I am going to go clean up the kitchen now."

As Tohru left the room, Shigure turned to stare out at the night sky. Tohru would be perfect for the job, but why was she suddenly so acceptable to Akito?

While Shigure was pondering this question, Hatori returned to the compound and found he was summoned before Akito. He walked briskly to Akito's apartments where he was immediately admitted by Kureno. Kureno nodded and walked out the door as Akito turned to greet Hatori.

"Hatori, you are very late returning tonight. What kept you? How did the girl respond to your offer?"

"I was fortunate enough to arrive in time for the evening meal. Honda-san is a very good cook and Shigure had much company. Besides Yuki and Kyo, Hatsuharu and Momiji were there as well. I did not make the offer until later when she brought coffee for Shigure and I in his study. I apologize for the lateness of my return, but it was unavoidable. As for my offer, Honda-san is considering it and will give me an answer on Friday after her visit with you."

"I must make sure she will accept the position," Akito told himself softly.

"Akito…" Hatori wondered what had just been said.

"It was nothing Hatori. I was just hoping for your sake that she would accept the offer. You are so overworked my dear Hatori. I only wish for things to be easier for you." Akito ran his hand along the side of Hatori's face. "Now, go. I am very tired and you must be as well."

"Yes Akito, Good Night."