Hello again! Here it is... the last chapter. Well, I don't have much to say except thank you. So thanks to everyone!

To kusuri: Thanks! Glad you like it!

To HARU is my LOVELY: Well, I hope you like how it turned out. Thanks for your reviews! I hope this was sooN enough for you! But it wasn't really sooN enough for me, so I doubt it would be for you... I'm such a slacker...

To childlikeempress: Thank you very much! Glad you like it! I hope you like the last chapter just as much!

To Lucinda the Maid: Your reviews rock. It's as simple as that! Anyway, I'm glad you liked it! I hope you enjoy this one just as much! I'm happy you liked the fb's, I tried hard not to make it seem to choppy. And the fluff too! I hope you liked that little parts I made up. I tried to think of things that would make sense and be in character. How did you like Tohru's little food quirk? I have a lot of those, hehehe.

To Frankie CrowOverflow: Thanks for the comments! I'm glad you like it

Thanks again to everyone, and I hope you enjoy the final installment!

Disclaimer: I don't own Fruits Basket. Sigh...

Part 3: Her Return

"Belt... check. Shoes... check. Hair..." Shigure leaned in front of his bedroom mirror, combing his unruly mop with his fingers until it looked neat. Well... more neat than he had seen in it a long time anyway... "Not great, but check." He mumbled, moving fully in front of the mirror to scrutinize his reflection.

Black slacks, black socks, black belt, black coat... Hardly the 'knight in shining armor' look that he had been aiming for...

As an afterthought, he replaced the grayish tie he had chosen earlier and substituted a red one, draping it around his neck. 'Whoa there, Shigure. Don't overdo it now!' He thought sarcastically, grabbing the shoes he had recovered from his closet and dashing from the room.

He made sure to be excessively loud on his trip to the first floor, treading heavily upon the stairs and thundering through the hallway. Making a quick detour through the kitchen, Shigure tucked the paper holding Tohru's directions into his jacket.

"What the hell are you doing?"

Pausing at Kyo's angry question, the dog looked up to see that his younger cousins had appeared in the doorway, drawn by his previous racket. His mouth curved in an imperceptible smirk.

Yuki crossed his arms, eyeing Shigure uneasily. "And what are you doing dressed like that?" He added, quirking an eyebrow in interest.

... Or distrust. The dog couldn't really tell...

Shigure sniffed in mock disdain, brushing past them and making his way to the front door. "It's none of your concern."

"Oh, really?"

The cat's voice was thick with suspicion, and the older Sohma grinned in satisfaction as he heard the boys trailing close behind him. He dropped his shoes in the doorway before fixing the tie around his neck. "Well, if you must know..."

Yuki and Kyo waited impatiently as he paused, expecting some depressed complaint about being bored or hungry. So when Shigure whirled dramatically around, they flinched backwards.

"I am going to rescue Tohru!" He exclaimed, brandishing the girl's note.

"You're what?" Mouths gaping, both boys stared oddly at their cousin.

Ignoring the shocked expressions, Shigure bent over to slip his shoes on. "You may be content to sit and watch Tohru leave, but I'm not!" He straightened again, directing a heated glare at the young Sohma's. "I will not let the one person who has been so unconditionally kind to us... just up and walk away!"

The rat moved closer, studying him. "Miss Honda said that she wanted to leave, Shigure." He offered, his eyes dropping to the paper clutched tightly in the hands of his older housemate.

"Did you try using your eyes?" Shigure suggested, glancing between the boys. "Did she look like she truly wanted to leave?"

A tense silence fell over the three as the dog let his words sink in. Both of his cousins had averted their faces, obviously affected by what he had said. One more comment like that would set everything into motion. Opening the door, he added emphasis to what he said next.

"The only concern Tohru ever had was our happiness." Shigure began, his voice lowering with conviction. "I've decided that it's time to return the favor."

No one seemed willing to break the reverent atmosphere that had settled over the room.

"She always put herself last." Kyo eventually added, not raising his head.

Yuki remained silent, but lifted his face with a look of determined finality. He marched forward, snatching the directions from Shigure's hand as he passed.

Kyo straightened at the sudden movement. He growled, watching his cousin leave. "Where are you going?"

"Out." Yuki's step never faltered, nor did he bother to turn as he replied.

The cat scowled, but scrambled after his rival. "Hey! Wait a minute!"

Shigure listened as their bickering faded into the distance, only allowing himself to smile when he could no longer hear them. He toed off his shoes, leaving them by the door as he shuffled back upstairs to change.

Alright, so his big plan was really more of a... clever deception.

But a deception that was crucial and necessary. All the hope of Tohru returning had hinged on the success of his ruse.

The fact of the matter was that if he had been the one to approach Tohru... the one who asked her to come back... She would have refused.

Not because she harbored any form of dislike for him. It was nothing of the sort.

She would have declined because when dealing with Shigure, she seemed to hold herself to a higher standard of maturity and independence than a normal sixteen-year-old girl should. Then again... Tohru never had been a normal sixteen-year-old girl; Shigure would testify to that.

In Shigure's presence she seemed more like a young woman than a teenager, and she wanted him to believe that she was always in control, always healthy, and always happy.

'I could never bring myself to truly contradict her.' He thought dejectedly, disappointed that he couldn't be the one to insist that she return, to see the shock on her face, and the conflicted tears that would probably follow.

Having donned his favorite kimono, he lazily wandered back into the kitchen, collecting four sets of dishes. Shigure hummed a lively tune as he readied the table for dinner, constantly thinking back to his cousins.

Had the boys made it to her grandfathers house yet? Were they lost? Just how far of a walk was it? Would they stop fighting long enough to find the right street?

With all the questions tumbling around in his mind, the thought of the boys possibly coming home empty handed never crossed his mind.

What had crossed his mind was Tohru. Many, many times. Shigure laughed out loud when he realized that strangely... she was more of a distraction when she was gone than when she was standing right beside him.

His keen sense of hearing picked up the sound of footsteps approaching the house, and he easily abandoned the nearly set table as he rushed to the front door. But before he opened it, he paused, suffering a wave of apprehension. What if he opened that door and was met with only the boys?

He had to admit... that would come dangerously close to heartbreaking.

Oh, sure, he'd been heartbroken before. But those were cases that had been easily remedied by a few less-than-responsible activities... mainly involving a beverage or two.

Shigure had a feeling that... that kind of devastation would not simply fade.

He listened intently for a moment. Two sets of steady footfalls, one's stride slightly longer than the other... and a softer, more animated gait.

Relief surged through him, and as he opened the door to see Tohru nearing the house, hand in hand with Yuki and Kyo, a familiar warmth seemed to envelope his entire body. Shigure stepped eagerly outside, restraining his urge to meet them halfway, and waited; an elated smile brightening his face.

Kyo seemed to be pointedly ignoring the fact that his hand was linked with the girl's, but there was a tell-tale blush tingeing his cheeks.

Yuki appeared content, his free hand toting a bag of Tohru's belongings, but his expression was subdued.

And Tohru... Damn, it was so hard not to rush over and embrace her when she had that beautiful smile on her face. He had never seen anyone look so completely ecstatic. The emotion seemed to infect her entire body; livening her step and lifting her posture.

Her eyes rose to meet his and Shigure found himself grinning so hard it was becoming painful.

Tohru had to fight to contain her joy. She was trying her best to not clutch the hands clasping hers, and she was biting her lip to keep from laughing out loud.

There he was. The eldest Sohma was watching her closely as she closed the distance between them, and Tohru found herself pulling free from her hold on the boys to jog the last few steps.

She came to a halt before Shigure, almost trembling as their eyes locked. Opening her mouth to speak, she found her voice caught, choked back as her throat tightened in emotion. "I..."

The dog's smile softened, his expression understanding as he bowed his head in acknowledgment, waiting.

"I'm back..." Recovering enough to form syllables, she was frustrated with the words that left her mouth. Of all the things she wanted to say, was that the best she could do? 'Thank you!' She yelled inwardly. 'Thank you so much.'

Shigure nodded slightly, as if he had heard what she could not say, his eyes thoughtful as he beamed down at her. "Welcome home, Tohru."

Basking in the tender way he gazed at her, Tohru felt tears threatening her vision. He was standing close beside her now, and bent slightly at the neck and waist as if he was embracing her as best he could. She bit the inside of her cheek, her chest quaking with potential sobs.

Shigure had anticipated that she would be a little overcome when she arrived, and laid a comforting hand on her shoulder, giving her a reassuring squeeze as he turned to lead her inside. "Everything is ready!" He spouted, adopting his cheerful manner once more. "The table is set and waiting for one of your wonderful meals!"

"Excuse me?" Kyo bellowed, fists clenched by his sides as he stomped threateningly closer.

The dog turned at the enraged outburst, flinching at the anger burning in the cat's eyes. "What did I do now?"

"Shigure!" Yuki spoke, sounding tired and disapproving. "Miss Honda only just made it back! I doubt what she wants to do now is coo-"

"No, wait!" The gentle voice, the sound that had been missing, making the house seem far too quiet for the past day, effectively silenced any further argument. "I would love to make you dinner! I didn't cook anything at my grandfather's house!" She clapped her hands excitedly as she smiled. "I'm so glad! That makes me so happy..."

The rat's baffled astonishment mirrored that of Kyo as Tohru bustled past them and into the house, leaving the men in the doorway.

Shigure, however, had expected this reaction as well, hence the previous race to arrange the dishes. Though her expression had passed the predicted delight, and was rounding on positively euphoric.

Tohru sighed in blissful satisfaction, setting the last clean plate back where it belonged. 'Belonged...' She mused lightly, giggling. 'Its little home in the cupboard.' Picturing the cabinet as a nice cozy dwelling for dishware made her dissolve into another fit of quiet laughter.

Only once or twice before had she felt so cheerful that she became tipsy, almost as if she were drunk. She was absolutely giddy, and it had begun to affect her behavior.

The house was almost silent, Yuki and Kyo having retired for the night, both insisting that they had had a long day.

Shigure was still up and around somewhere, and as she relinquished her apron, she set out to find the older Sohma. She had something to settle with him.

The dog was, in fact, pouring over the phone, gesturing frantically as he told a spectacular tale of some sort.

"I knew my plan would work, Hari. My plans always work." Shigure drawled, twining the cord around his finger. After another sequence of warnings from the doctor on the other end, he rolled his eyes, turning to lean against the wall. "Yes, I know, I kn-" He cut himself short as he happened upon Tohru, patiently waiting a few feet away.

The young woman seemed preoccupied as she scuffed at the floor with her feet, hands folded behind her back as if she felt awkward. Her eyes were cast down, shifting timidly beneath her lashes.

"Hold on, Hatori." Propping the telephone beneath his chin, he grinned brightly at her. "Ah, Tohru, is something the matter?"

The young woman jumped, in the midst of wondering who it was on the receiving end of the dog's banter. "Oh, nothing's the matter, Shigure! I was just heading upstairs... but I was wondering if I could speak to you for a minute." She blushed lightly, stealing a quick glance at his face.

Shigure blinked in surprise, but nodded. "Of course, Tohru. I'll come find you in your room in a few minutes, okay?"

Smiling, Tohru dipped her head in return, her long hair swaying as she did so. "Thank you." She excused herself, retreating to the stairs and leaving the older man to his discussion.

Shigure returned to his conversation, a smirk on his lips. "Did you hear that Hari? I have a rendezvous with Tohru! In her room no less!"

There was a irritated sigh on the other line as the dog continued to babble.

"Now don't be getting any ideas, Hatori. Oh, listen to me. I'm starting to sound like Aya. You know-"

Click.

Shigure looked down at the phone as if it had bitten him, sniffing indignantly as he dropped it carelessly into its cradle. "Well! How rude..." He was insulted for no longer than a few seconds before he remembered Tohru's request. Spirits lifting, he laughed to himself, feeling quite childish for a moment as he busily started about closing the house up for the night.

Tohru paused to rearrange the items in her closet for the third time, her frayed nerves making her jittery. Ever since the boys had appeared at her grandfather's house, she had been fretting over what to tell Shigure. Or rather how... She knew what she wanted to say, it was just a matter of putting it into words that she could somehow force out between her lips.

She stood, face set with determination, and focused her attention elsewhere. 'Calm down.' She commanded, taking a seat at her desk. 'It's just Shigure.'

Oh, sure. Just Shigure. Just Shigure. Right... If only it were that simple...

With a strangled moan, Tohru pressed her forehead to the smooth, dark wood of the desktop. She tipped her face to the side, gaze resting upon a picture frame.

Straightening, the young woman picked up the photograph, immediately recognizing it. As she moved to stand, ready to place the picture back in its usual place, she faltered, eyes falling to the glass once again. It was not the image that caused her to waver, but something coating the frame in its entirety.

Lifting one hand from the wooden border, she glanced at her fingertips. "Dust..?" She murmured, a subtle question in her voice. Closer assessment of the photo revealed that a fine sheet of dust had descended over the object.

But it was the delicate work someone had done removing the dirt that had caught her interest. The small area that encompassed her likeness had been carefully cleaned, while the remaining surfaces had been left untouched... save for the fingerprints that patterned the frame itself.

Smiling fondly, Tohru situated the portrait on the desk again. It could have been any one of her housemates, but she had a strong suspicion regarding the culprit. There was something distinctly 'Shigure' about it...

"Knock, knock."

Leaping to her feet, the startled young woman reeled around to see the very subject of her thoughts standing in her open doorway.

The dog smiled, his eyes shining with silent laughter at her flustered appearance. One hand gripping the doorframe above his head, he leaned to one side, his right palm propped on the angle of his hip. "I'm sorry... You wanted to speak with me?"

Anxiously tucking her hair behind one ear, she moved forward while motioning him inside. "Yes, thank you..."

Stepping fully into the girl's bedroom, Shigure was shocked when she slipped around him to shut the door. Finding himself completely alone with Tohru, he was at a loss... and somewhat worried at her strange behavior.

'She's never been this nervous before...' He frowned in concern, noting the tension in the young woman's petite shoulders when she did not turn to face him again. "Tohru..." He offered quietly, taking a hesitant step toward her. "What's wrong?"

Hearing her name on his lips, she sighed. It was immeasurable how much she had missed that sound... and she knew that she didn't ever want that to change. Listening to the sincere emotion that carried through his tone made her feel so fortunate.

Being needed was nothing in comparison to feeling wanted... to know that even if she no longer kept house, they would keep her... simply because that was what they wished.

"Did I do something wrong?"

Hearing the vulnerability behind those words, Tohru was wracked with guilt. "Oh, no, Shigure!" She cried, a tremor in her voice as she turned to reassure him. "You did absolutely nothing wro-"

As she had spun to meet the dog's gaze, she found herself face to face with him... well, his chest anyway.

Shigure had crossed the space between them, standing as close to Tohru as he could without making contact. He lowered his face until he could speak directly into her ear, and he could almost feel the heat from the blush he knew was staining her cheeks.

"Shigure..." Tohru whimpered, unsure of his intentions and what her own response should have been. "I just-"

"I missed you."

Three words. Three simple words. But judging from the affect they had on the girl, they may as well have been those three simple words.

That sentence meant the world to Tohru, because with those three simple words, Shigure had managed to convey everything that she too had felt over the past twenty four hours... he understood.

And then he hugged her, arms folding around her as she was pulled tightly against his body. It felt like he was trying to hold her everywhere at once... embracing her as much as he could before his curse took effect.

What seemed like an eternity really only lasted one fraction of a moment, ending far too soon in a billowing cloud of blue fog.

"I'm sorry."

Shigure, now in canine form, looked steadily up at the girl from where his head was pillowed in her lap. "It's not you who should be apologizing. I hope I didn't make you uncomfortable." He spoke regretfully, furry eyebrows drooping as his resolve wilted.

Tohru shook her head wordlessly, sniffling as her hands stroked the top of Shigure's head. Shifting carefully, she reached out to stroke behind his ears as they lapsed into silence.

Shigure sighed in contentment, tail wagging lazily. 'I wonder if I should leave... I wouldn't want one of the boys to find us like this...'

"I know it was you."

The dog froze, tail halting as he wondered what she was talking about. "Me?" He questioned, not bothering to raise his head.

Nodding gently, the young woman looked down into his warm brown eyes. She could not help but let a tiny smile escape when she saw how his brows twitched in confusion. "It was you who sent the boys after me."

"How did you know?" That sincere expression gazed curiously upwards, searching her own.

"The boys wouldn't have come by themselves... They're too worried about upsetting me." She smiled tearfully now, weaving her fingers through the slightly thicker fur that covered his shoulders. Something that could have been a laugh shook the dog's body lightly, and she slowed her motions, waiting for him to speak.

Shigure closed his eyes briefly, his ears twitching as her fingers ghosted over them. "They wanted to go, I just needed to give them a little push to get them started."

Tohru gave a short, affectionate chuckle, pushing her apprehension aside as she bowed low, kissing the bridge of his long nose. "Thank you, Shigure... so much."

The lips on his fur had shocked him into silence, and he held his position, repeating what had just happened in his mind. Recovering enough to speak, he assumed a teasing method before attempting a few words. "You know our house would have fallen to pieces without our wonderful little flower."

The girl inhaled unsteadily, letting her breathe back out in a sobbing laugh. "And you must know that this little flower couldn't live without her sunshine." Smiling ruefully at how corny that sounded, Tohru let her fingertips drift fondly over Shigure's canine features, hoping he caught the hint.

Easily interpreting her suggestion, the dog leaned into her hands, seeking out each soothing touch. "You know, I really hated seeing traces of you left around the house... knowing I might not see you again."

Tohru felt her heart ache, and opened her mouth to reply, but was forced to avert her eyes as a second veil of blue smoke signaled the return of Shigure to his human body.

What a way to ruin the mood.

Standing quickly to throw on his clothes, Shigure laughed sheepishly. "Well, I should probably let you get to bed..." He spoke only once he was fully clothed, looking down as Tohru finally deemed it safe to face him again.

"Oh, no, please wait..." She rose up on her knees, extending a hand to stop him. "Um..." She suddenly looked lost, an inner turmoil visible within her eyes. "Kyo... Well, he told me I need to speak up more..."

The dog hummed in agreement, watching Tohru intently as she fumbled over an explanation. "He's right." He stated simply, absently running a hand through his hair.

His earlier embrace wasn't the cause of her internal battle was it? The last thing he had wanted to do was cause the young woman any undue stress.

Shigure moved restlessly, feeling unexpectedly distraught as the unnerving quiet stretched on. He made to walk past the still kneeling girl, but when her voice rose again, her words captivated him, rooting him to the floor where he stood.

"So... I was wondering if... Well, that is... Would you..." She delayed only a moment longer, choosing her words, before she met his eyes again, imploring. "Will you stay?"

Noticeably startled, the dog's brow furrowed, confusion written throughout his posture. "Stay?" He repeated, tone doubtful and passive for one instant.

"Yes." Tohru countered, bowing her head and splaying one hand palm down on the ground beside her, elaborating with her actions rather than speech. "Please... just for a little while longer?"

Turning this request over in his mind, he abruptly realized that throughout this ordeal, the lovely blush that normally graced her delicate features was nowhere to be seen.

Knowing this, Shigure moved closer, dropping to his knees and mirroring her stance. A smile spread from his lips to his eyes as he reached out to the solemn girl. He lifted her face with two fingers beneath her chin, wordlessly asking for her attention. "Only if you look me in the eyes when you ask."

Tohru looked quizzically at him, focus darting over his familiar traits, studying them.

Surprising himself, Shigure discovered that he had no desire to kiss her, even at this close proximity. Making that move would surely frighten her, and he was certain that scaring her was something he would never do... deliberately or not.

Instead, he had the strong urge to make a joking remark.

'Say, Tohru. After that kiss earlier, my human nose is feeling a little jealous. How about you even things up a bit?'

The thought was so tempting, and it was awfully odd that she hadn't blushed yet, but he couldn't bring himself to do it... not when she was as serious as she appeared. So he tilted his head in an unspoken offer of encouragement.

Tohru saw this, and her uncertainty weakened, ebbing away as self-assurance grew in its absence. Looking Shigure right in the eyes, she organized her thoughts and plunged onward. "Shigure, would you please stay with me?"

They shared a meaningful glance, both knowing that the true meaning behind her request went far beyond that born of the words alone.

With a mischievous smirk, the older man nodded in assent. "Well, since you asked so nicely."

The girl wrung her hands together, absolutely beaming as she looked down, relieved. When there was an almost inaudible 'thump' on the floor, her eyes rose to find Shigure sprawled on his stomach. "Shigure?"

"I hope you don't mind if I make myself comfortable." That was as much of a warning as Tohru received before the dog's head was once again cushioned on her folded legs, his cheek pressed into the soft fabric of her skirt.

Losing the ability to speak once more, Tohru finally moved past her initial shock. Relenting, she let her hands fall to Shigure's hair, sifting through his tousled mane as she had been doing before.

Almost reluctant to break the comfortable silence, Shigure let his eyes fall closed. "I hope I didn't offend you with my little dinner comment earlier."

"Oh, no!" Tohru exclaimed. It felt strange... in a new, funny sort of way, to feel the man's words against her thigh; warmed by his breath as it bled through the pleated cotton. "I really was very happy. It meant a lot to me... to be honest."

The dog nodded, smiling as he held back a sneeze; his nose filled with the fresh scent of their fabric softener. He was beginning to feel exceptionally drowsy, a side effect of the tender way she smoothed his rumpled hair.

"Besides..." She began, giggling slightly. "The way to a man's heart is through his stomach, after all."

Shigure laughed heartily at that sentence. Partly because that was true, but most entirely because it was only half true. There were a great many more ways to his heart... But when he thought about it, really thought about it... He knew that with no effort at all, she had found each and every one.

The End

And that's where the title came from! One of the last lines of the story! That makes a whole lot of sense, doesn't it? I thought so... Anyway, I hope you all liked it! Thank you to everyone who read this, and my greatest love and wishes to those who reviewed! You are sooo wonderful!

Who knows... maybe I'll make a sequel... But right now I've got no idea what it'd be about... But still, you never know.

Thanks again to you all for giving me the motivation and encouragement to write this.