Hi! Guess what? IVE FINALLY UPDATED! YEAH! GO ME! To tell you the truth, I have been so busy with coursework, ive had no time to update. But I really love this story! So heyhey! Im updating! On with the story, ne?

Shigure looked uncharacteristically uncomfortable when Yuki asked him to explain to Hotaru what her part of the curse entailed.

"Shigure, she did ask" Yuki persisted.

Shigure sighed and lowered his head. He looked troubled as he closed his eyes.

Hotaru saw his troubled expression. "If you don't want to Shigure-san, it's okay, I'm sure it isn't that important." She immediately knew it was that important as soon as the words escaped her lips, and she wished she could put them back.

"Hotaru-kun, sit down."

She didn't want to. She didn't want to know what Shigure-san was about to say. If he didn't want to say it, then it couldn't possibly be good, could it? And as soon as she would sit down, that'd be it. No going back. I could run out now, I could just walk away. But no matter what her mind was telling her to do, her body was doing the exact opposite. No, what are you doing! She screamed at herself as her body was lowering to the floor, get up get up get up! She was sitting down. Crap. She smiled at Shigure nervously.

He didn't smile back.

Hotaru's face immediately fell, and her stomach became increasingly heavy. Oh no…

"Hotaru, usually when people- found out about us, we called upon Hatori to- fix it."

Hotaru was puzzled. "What do you mean, 'fix it'?"

Shigure continued, though it sounded as the words were being forced from him. "The dragon has a special job in the zodiac curse. When the time comes and someone finds out about the curse, the dragon is called on to erase those person's memories." He paused for a second, and then laughed slightly. "I guess it doesn't sound as bad when it's said out loud, does it?"

Hotaru merely mumbled something incomprehensible. She stared anxiously at her outspread hands. I erase memories. Shigure was right, it didn't sound so bad coming from him, but then, nothing did. But when she mulled it over in her head, it did seem quite drastic.

"It doesn't hurt, it's like hypnotism. But I do have to warn you Hotaru. It can be very psychologically painful to the people who gets left with their memories."

Hotaru frowned, still focused on the back of her hands. "I could just refuse, no-one is making me do it, right?" there was no answer, so Hotaru looked up from her hands, into very startlingly uneasy eyes. "Right?" she persisted for conformation. Shigure tore his eyes away from Hotaru's. Why is he being like this.. She thought, becoming increasingly worried.

"Hotaru, you don't have a choice."

"Why not?" she replied sharply.

Shigure hesitated, still not meeting her gaze. "It is just your part of the curse. Everyone has to live out his or her part of the curse. Its just the way it goes."

"Well I don't like it."

Shigure appeared taken aback by the girl's boldness. "How do you mean?"

"I just don't see why people can't just live with their memories. If losing yours means you're hurting anyone else around you, doesn't that make that certain person a bit selfish to have their memories erased?"

Shigure watched Hotaru carefully as she spoke, his eyes widening slightly. "Yes, I guess that is true,-"

"I can understand if that person is a danger to tell people of the secret or does tell people, but if it's just because they don't like the way we are, then they deserve to live with that guilt, don't they?" Hotaru looked at Shigure once more for conformation.

He smiled softly and leaned back, supporting his weight on his hands. His eyes fixed on the ceiling and he frowned slightly. "I guess so."

There was uncertainty in Shigure's voice, and Hotaru leaned forward, frowning also. "What?"

Shigure looked down at the girl, alarmed.

"There was uncertainty in your voice." Hotaru insisted. "What is it you don't agree with?"

Shigure shifted back to his original position, and casually rested his chin on his palm, focusing on Hotaru. "You could put it that way, but what if tit's painful for that person to know the secret? If it was someone you loved, wouldn't you want them to stop hurting?"

Shigure-san's being so serious.. Hotaru thought. She studied his expression, it looked so hopeless. He could have been a muse, beautifully and tragically broken-hearted. Is he speaking from experience? She wondered. He's never looked this worn before.. "I – I guess," she murmured eventually.

Shigure watched her for what seemed like an eternity. Hotaru had returned to glaring at her hands. Shigure stood up quickly, and it made Hotaru jump.

He stretched comically. "I'm hungry, aren't you?" he smiled at her while she gawped at his sudden change in attitude. "Oh toooohruuuuuuuuu…." He sang, bouncing merrily out of the room.

Hotaru stared after Shigure, stunned. He has such a strange personality. She thought amazed, but- he is right. If the person I loved was hurting, I would do whatever I could to help them. She scowled, scolding herself. Sure, like that scenario is ever going to turn up. She laughed bitterly as she stood up. Now feeling utterly depressed, she dragged her feet out of the door, led by her growling stomach. She may annoy me, Hotaru thought, but Tohru-san really is a good cook…

Hiii! Ok, im sorry this was such a short chapter, but I really wanted this to be pureley Shigure and Hotaru talking. Ill try and update soon, itll probably be every Sunday- and ill make them longer. K? please review! Baibai!

sakuraxx