AN: A mini-glossary of roughly translated English equivalents of Japanese:

ne – 'hey' or 'right' depending on context

sumimasen – I'm sorry

iie – no

hai – yes

maa – well

arigatou gozaimasu – thank you very much

que sera sera – 'what will be, will be,' not Japanese but it is a phrase Shigure uses in the anime/manga ;P

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CHAPTER 3: Smoke in Your Eyes

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"Ah, Hatori-san. Please, have a seat."

Tohru gestured to the table laden with food where Shigure was still seated, eating with relaxed gusto. And as the doctor took off the ash gray jacket of his suit to get more comfortable and settled himself across from Shigure, Tohru resumed her own place with an inaudible sigh of relief.

After she had answered his question about what she thought of him, Shigure had fallen unusually silent and solemn as if he were thinking of something that troubled him greatly. She worried that a part of what she had said bothered him but, just as she had scrounged up the courage to ask, Hatori had arrived and she had gone to greet him. But now, as Shigure seemed to revert to his usual smiling self, she thought in relief that it must have been her overactive imagination that tended to blow little things way out of proportion from time to time.

"Ha-san!" Shigure gave his friend a cheery wave. "Eat up. You must be tired after dropping off the children. They must have bickered all the way, ne?"

"Not really."

Hatori recalled that his two passengers had been depressingly quiet the entire drive. The gloomy mood that had occupied the interior had been so reminiscent of the joy to be had at a funeral procession and so overwhelmingly oppressive in the enclosed confines of the car that he'd been immensely relieved when he had finally parted with them. Though he sympathized with their plight, it had been their decision to accept Akito's ultimatum so he hoped they would make the best of it in Kyushu.

"Did they seem okay when you saw them off?" asked Tohru anxiously. "Sumimasen. I know Hatori-san already told me before over the phone but-"

"Iie," Hatori was quick to reassure. "It's alright. I know you're concerned about them. But other than being a little depressed over leaving, they were fine. In fact, before they left, Yuki told me to give you a message from the both of them." He smiled as he remembered. "He said to remind you to care of yourself since they're not here to look out for you. Also, that they would call you late tomorrow afternoon so you should stop worrying about them."

The look on Tohru's face softened. "Tomorrow?"

"Hai," Hatori responded. "In the late afternoon."

"I'll be looking forward to it," she said brightly. Then, realizing the talk had forestalled him from starting in on the meal, she hurriedly said, "Sumimasen. I've been keeping Hatori-san from eating after such a long day." She motioned to the array of dishes. "Please, take as much as you like. There's plenty to eat."

Shigure grinned and slid a sly glance at his friend as he began to eat. "Well, Ha-san, how do you like my little flower's cooking? Delicious, ne?" Shigure sighed happily. "And I get to eat like this every day. Oh, Ha- san, you must be jealous, ne?"

Hatori ignored Shigure's teasing while continuing to eat. He glanced at Tohru's direction and saw that she was acting similarly despite the slight blush that tinted her cheeks at Shigure's comments. She'd gotten better at dealing with Shigure's flustering words over the years so that she no longer overreacted to them as she once had.

It was a good thing, Hatori thought, since Shigure's habitual teasing might get worse without Yuki and Kyou around to restrain him if he got out of hand. Tohru would need to be made of strong mettle to put up with him on her own.

To divert the dinner conversation away from Shigure's inane banter, Hatori addressed Tohru. "So what are your plans now? Will you continue to work at the Souma's company?"

Once she had graduated from high school, her part-time job at the Souma's company became full-time. She'd opted not to attend college, unlike most other people her age, in favor of working full-time because of the expense of tuition costs. Her grandfather had offered to help with the tuition if she really desired to go to college but she hadn't wanted to place any financial burden on him. Plus, even if she had wanted to, she didn't think her test scores would have been good enough to gain her entrance into one of the institutions. She was lucky to manage passing through high school. Besides, working was much easier than studying in her opinion so she didn't see how her not attending college was all that terrible.

"For a while," she replied. "But I might be working at a daycare center soon."

"Really?" It was the first Hatori had heard about it.

"Hai," said Shigure, reading the doctor's surprise. "It's a recent development. I only found out about it a few days ago."

Tohru nodded. "One of the women I work with, Matsumoto-san, has a brother who runs a daycare. She only told me recently about a position that might be open soon that she thought I might be interested in. I was, so Matsumoto-san referred me to her brother."

"I see." Hatori frowned. "Isn't it a bit unusual for a daycare to search for employees this close to the start of the school year?"

Daycares in Japan mostly followed the same schedules as academic institutions that began in April and ran through March. Hatori knew from Momiji's excited comments about beginning his last year of high school that the first day of school would begin in a few days. It was unusual for academic institutions or daycares to wait so late in the year to fill in positions. Especially since, by his calculations, that would mean she might start working sometime after the academic school year had already started.

"Hai," Tohru responded. "But Matsumoto-san told me that one of the regular workers is going to have a baby and wants to quit so that she can devote her time to looking after her family. She promised to stay on until her position was filled though."

"Maa," Hatori said. "Congratulations on the new job."

"Eh?" Tohru was surprised. "But I haven't gotten it yet. I only have an appointment for an interview set up. I'm supposed to go in early tomorrow morning."

"Tomorrow?"

"Hai." She smiled reassuringly at Hatori's expression. "It's okay. I'll be back in plenty of time for the phone call from Yuki-kun and Kyou-kun. They knew about the interview; that's probably why they said they'd call later. Besides, Yuki-kun told me before he left that he would want to hear about how my interview went." Then she sighed a little. "But even after the interview, I still might not get the position."

"What position is it for?" Hatori asked.

"Cook."

Hatori exchanged a glance with Shigure. There was no doubt in either of their minds that she was certain to get the job unless the employer was an idiot. But all Hatori said was, "Good luck."

"Arigatou gozaimasu." Tohru smiled brightly at his kind words. Then, seeing that they were almost finished eating and thinking that the friends would like to talk without her presence, she excused herself. "Ah, I'll go make some tea and then bring out dessert. Please, take your time."

At the sounds of their assent, she stood and disappeared into the kitchen. Once she was gone and the two men were left at the table to converse in privacy, Hatori glanced at Shigure.

"What's wrong?" Hatori asked without preamble.

"Why, whatever does Ha-san mean?"

"Pretend all you want but I've known you too long for that act to work on me."

"Ah," Shigure sighed. "Ha-san's making mountains out of mole hills again."

"Am I?" He calmly took another bite of daikon. "Then I'd appreciate it if you would stop giving me that look whenever she smiles at me."

After a pregnant pause, Shigure stiffly responded, "I don't know what you mean."

"I see. Maa, it's probably just my imagination again," Hatori said dryly. "You know how outrageous it gets sometimes."

Shigure burst out into startled laughter as the tension that had been building within him over the course of the meal was given temporary relief. As the muscles Shigure hadn't even realized were tensed up relaxed, he was torn between amusement and insult that he wasn't successful in his attempts to conceal what was bothering him. He disliked the idea that he was so transparent when he prided himself on being able to hide his feelings when he wanted to, even from his friends. After all, if friends could be fooled, then enemies were a cinch to deceive.

Plus, it was just plain fun.

Opting to be amused, Shigure smiled at his friend. "How do you know it has anything to do with her?"

Hatori set down his chopsticks, done with eating, as he gave Shigure a look. "Do you mean now or in the general scheme of things?"

"There's a general?" Shigure's voice held a hint of displeasure as his lips tightened.

"Surely you didn't think you were hiding it?"

"Define 'it.'" He was definitely displeased now.

Hatori suppressed the urge to roll his eyes. There were times when Shigure acted as much as a petulant child that Ayame could be and Hatori felt like he was cast into the role of father figure to look after them all. Even adulthood hadn't seemed to change the dynamics of their relationship much as Hatori sometimes wished it would. As the time for this conversation was limited since Tohru would return with refreshments, Hatori opted to quit dancing around the subject and get to the heart of the matter.

"Your feelings for Honda-kun," Hatori said, so bluntly that even Shigure wasn't quick enough to mask his surprise.

Of course, that didn't mean he didn't try.

"Feelings?" There was an edge of desperation to Shigure's short bark of laughter. "What feelings? Surely you don't mean to imply that I'm some sort of dirty old man lusting after young nubile schoolgirls?"

Instead of answering that question, all Hatori said was, "We don't have to talk about it."

That only served to make Shigure say defensively, "It's a natural inclination of any red-blooded male. Perfectly healthy. In fact, not having them would be the unnatural way to go. Ha-san probably has these kinds of fantasies too, ne?" He gave Hatori a sly look. "Ha-san has no right to criticize a man for having perfectly understandable and harmless fantasies about someone of the opposite sex, ne?"

"But I'm not the one living with a young woman under the same roof."

"So what? That doesn't mean I'm going to do anything. Honestly, does everyone around here think I'm a pervert?" He paused. "You know, you don't have to take so long to answer me." He became unreasonably irritated. "I do happen to have some scruples; not that anyone ever gives me any credit for them. Really," he snorted in disgust. "As if I were immoral enough to try taking advantage of an innocent and inexperienced high school girl."

"But Honda-kun's not in high school anymore."

Shigure fell silent as the impact of Hatori's words hit him. It was true. By some standards, Tohru was already considered an adult; especially as she now had to deal with the responsibilities that came with the position, among which included worrying about a full-time job. There were even some girls her age that married right out of high school as they worked on starting their own families. But, whether by conscious or unconscious design, it was something that Shigure had avoided thinking about, wanting to keep at least that as a barrier of protection. Although as to just whom it was supposed to protect, even he wasn't quite sure of the answer anymore.

Unsettled, Shigure glanced at Hatori, wondering where he was intending to go with this conversation and not sure that he'd like the answers. "Ha- san, what are you trying to do here? It almost sounds like you're pushing me towards her." Shigure expression was one of disbelief. "But that can't possibly be it. Surely, you don't think I'm good for her?"

"Certainly not."

"Well, then." Shigure was somewhat irked by that quick response.

"But she's good for you."

Shigure stared, open-mouthed and shocked speechless, not believing what he'd just heard. It was the last thing he'd expected, and to come from Hatori of all people. His staid friend the doctor couldn't possibly be suggesting that he go for it? Well, the only way to find out was to ask which is what Shigure did when he finally managed to get his vocal cords working again.

"Ha-san," he choked out in disbelief, "are you giving me your blessing?"

"Blessing?" Hatori's countenance was one of annoyance. "What do you think I am? A priest?"

"Ha-san!" Shigure's voice was sharp as he was suddenly gripped by a strong desire to know his friend's honest thoughts on the subject. "Just what is it you're saying then?"

Hatori took in Shigure's unusually serious expression then sighed. "I'm not really saying anything in particular. Only that it may not be a completely bad thing."

Shigure considered this. "Why?"

"Because she's changed you, softened you."

"What?" A dozen expressions warred on his face. "Are you saying I've gone soft?"

"I said 'softened,' not soft," Hatori said, exasperated at the distaste evident on Shigure's features. "Don't worry. You're still pretty much a hard bastard over all."

"Ha-san's not very funny." Shigure's gaze narrowed. "And how exactly have I 'softened'?"

Hatori's brows rose. He was amused by Shigure's insulted tone though he knew better than to show it. Still, it was so rare to have Shigure in this position; usually Hatori was the one being tormented by his friend's words. Hatori couldn't help but do a little teasing of his own.

"Do you want me to list them all?"

"All?" Shigure bristled. "That's implying that I've changed a lot. Now I know you've got to be joking."

"Am I?" Hatori's tone was placid. "Then what about smoking?"

Shigure frowned in confusion. "What about it?"

"Haven't you ever noticed how you never smoke when she's around?"

"What?"

"In all the years since she first came here, I've never once seen you smoke in her presence. You always wait until she's left the room or go outdoors."

"You're imagining things."

"Oh? Then name one, just one instance where you've lit up a cigarette while you two were in the same room."

Shigure went blank but he recovered swiftly. "That doesn't prove a thing. What does smoking have anything to do about feeling anything for someone?"

"You smoke around Great-Aunt Aoko and she has asthma."

"So? What do I care? I hate the judgmental old bat. As long as I'm smoking, she keeps her distance."

"And you don't smoke around Honda-kun because you care about whether or not she keeps away."

"What kind of reasoning is that?" Shigure scoffed. "This is what happens when you get a higher education. You take psychology courses and start reading too deeply into things that have no meaning whatsoever."

"Don't they? Can you honestly look me in the eye and tell me that your feelings aren't serious?"

Shigure glared. "Give me your jacket."

"What?" Hatori was perplexed.

"Don't argue with me. Just hand me your jacket."

Silently, mystified, Hatori handed over his suit jacket that he'd set aside when he'd sat down at the table. But it all became clear as he watched his friend take out a small package and lighter from one of the jacket pockets and proceeded to light a cigarette. Hatori looked on, amused, at the scenario before him as Shigure blew out a stream of smoke towards him and shot him a defiant glare.

"You see?" the dog declared. "There's nothing to it."

"Ah, Shigure-san's smoking?"

Shigure's head jerked and whipped around rapidly to find Tohru standing just a few feet away. He did his best not to look guilty and resisted the urge to immediately stub the cigarette out as he stuttered out a halting, "H-hai."

"I see." She disappeared back into the kitchen but then came back and settled a small ceramic ashtray before him. "Please use this," she told him with a smile. As she gathered the dirty dinnerware, she apologized. "Sumimasen. I'll be a little while longer."

"Take your time," Hatori told her gently.

"Hai." She gave him another bright smile before returning to the kitchen with the dirty dishware.

Shigure glared into Hatori's amused expression. "Don't say another word," he bit out as he stubbed out the butt.

Hatori remained silent and calm, regarding his friend quietly while Shigure's face only seemed to darken more and more with whatever thoughts plagued him as the seconds ticked by. Just when Hatori thought he should break the silence, Shigure did it first.

"I never said I was in love with her!" he suddenly burst out with a low irritated growl.

Hatori arched an eyebrow. "Neither did I." His tone was dry. "If I recall correctly, I believe the word I used was 'feelings.'"

Shigure glared.

Hatori sighed as he gave his friend a serious look. "But if you're not, you're probably close enough to it."

"How can you be so sure?"

"Because I don't know of any other woman who can make you glare at me like that when she smiles at me." Hatori shook his head. "It's been getting worse lately. Especially the way you react whenever Yuki or Kyou's names are mentioned. Don't worry," Hatori said reassuringly at his friend's expression. "You hide it well for the most part. But I know you well enough to see past the façade you put on for everyone else."

"I don't like it." Shigure grimaced. "Any of it."

"Of course you don't. These types of situations never run easily. Especially for a Souma, and a cursed one at that."

Shigure slid Hatori a curious glance. "Still, it's surprising. I thought you would be one of the first people to warn me off."

"Do you want me to warn you off?"

He thought about it. "I'm not sure."

"Then that means this really is important to you because I can count on one hand the number of times I've seen you unsure." His gaze flickered to the kitchen. "And most of those times have to do with her."

Shigure shrugged, gave a wry smile. "It's not what I was expecting either, you know." His face turned serious. "It won't be easy."

"Few things are."

"She's in love with someone else."

"Ah. Which one? Yuki? Kyou?"

"I don't know. Which do you think?"

"I'm not sure myself. She seems to care about them almost equally that it's hard to tell for certain." Hatori thought back to how the two had been so despondent the last time he'd seen them. "They both seemed equally depressed about leaving when we parted, too. It's obvious that they both care a great deal about her as well." He frowned. "But if one of them had confessed, I'm sure he wouldn't have caved in to Akito's ultimatum so easily. Nothing's been resolved yet in terms of relationships, it seems."

"Maa, those two always were slow about these sorts of things."

"Not how you planned it, is it?"

Shigure shrugged again. "Que sera sera."

"And what about you? I've seldom seen you restrain yourself from going after what you wanted."

Shigure cocked his head. "What's this? Ha-san's not lecturing me and giving me recriminations about stabbing those two in the back?" He gasped in shock. "Ha-san, how immoral of you!"

Hatori shook his head in exasperation, shooting his friend a repressive look. "It's not like that." He huffed. "The past years, those two have had ample opportunity; they lived under the same roof, went to the same school, were in each other's presence constantly. Each had many times to make their move but they both left and now they're far away." He shook his head. "It's ridiculous. Absence and distance makes the heart grow forgetful, not fonder. After several years when they finish college and come back, do they expect things to be the same? That she'll wait around for them that long? It's not realistic, especially if neither one has spoken up yet about their feelings towards her." His face was serious. "There are a lot of men in Japan outside of the Souma family who will take one look at her and go after her. She's excellent wife material and the chances of someone not making a play for her over the next several years aren't very high."

"Sounds like you've thought about it quite a bit." His face was bland, voice neutral.

"Don't look at me like that. Of course I have. I'm sure the same thought has run through the minds of all the other Jyunnishi males at one point or another. It's not very often you find someone like her willing to accept wholeheartedly all the faults that come with a Souma male, curse or no curse."

Shigure mulled it over and nodded. Although the fact didn't overwhelm him with joy, it really wasn't all that surprising a revelation since he'd thought the same a time or two himself. How could he not? He'd seen the way the members of the family had gravitated towards her over the years – even Hiro, though he'd probably deny it to the death if asked.

"What does Aya think? Does he suspect?"

"He's never said anything directly to me, but I'm sure he knows. He's known you as long as I have, after all." Hatori's lips twitched. "Would it really stop you if he disapproved of you going after his little brother's potential girlfriend?"

"Maybe." He smirked. "Probably not."

Hatori nodded, not really expecting any other answer. "Maa, in any case, rest easy. For all that they're siblings, he's closer to you than he is to Yuki. More than likely, he'll remain a neutral, though you'll have to ask him yourself if you really want to know his exact thoughts on this situation."

"I see." He tucked that bit of information away to ponder later.

"So?" questioned Hatori. "What's your course of action now?"

Shigure rolled his eyes. "Please, give me a little time to think. I've been unsettled about what to do up until now. Even a mastermind such as myself needs to recuperate before coming up with a brilliant strategy."

"Time is good," Hatori commented. "But it's also limited. Remember, there are a lot of other men in Japan besides you."

Shigure shot him a dark look. "Ha-san, you're enjoying this way too much."

"Can you really blame me?" Hatori chuckled. "It's not a sight I'm treated to often."

"Ha-san needs to find a woman of his own," Shigure said darkly.

"Perhaps I will." His lips tugged upwards. "Especially if things don't work out between you and Honda-kun."

Shigure's eyes narrowed. "Ha-san," he said warningly. "That's not funny."

"Maybe not." His smile disappeared as he regarded his friend seriously. "But it's true; if not me, then someone else. And do you really want her to fall into the hands of another man?"

No.

The word rang clearly and immediate in Shigure's mind. That, if nothing else, was the one thing he was absolutely sure of and he wasn't about to give her over to anyone else if he could help it. It was like a game, a very important one, and he had no intentions of losing to anyone be it friend, foe, or family.

Mind made up, he began to plan.