Melissa: Yeah um, I love writing about Shigure so I made another part of a fanfic about him. Because he's so awesome

Kyo: Hey!

Melissa: Don't worry, Kyo, I love you too 3

Kyo: Err... -runs away-

Melissa: Kyo! Don't make me get Kagura!

Yuki: Stupid cat aside, Melissa-san also means to say that she doesn't own any of us and that we belong to Natsuki Takaya.

Melissa: Yeah, definately.

Yuki: Just please don't write anything about me... please!

Melissa: Don't worry, Yuki. You'll get in later -insert evil laughter here- that is, if people want me to keep writing.

Hatori: Can the story start yet?

Melissa: Fine...


"Whoa where am I!" The man with black hair exclaimed as he jolted awake. He couldn't recognize the place and when he looked around the room he saw a young teenage girl sitting in a chair beside his bed.

"You're in my home," the girl explained simply, pushing back her dark brown hair in habit, "how are you feeling?"

"Not very well, in fact, horrible, but who are you?"

"Oh I'm sorry, I'm so rude… my name's Miya Murakami. And you are…?"

"Shigure Sohma," the man answered, smiling. She's cute…! he thought to himself. "But how did I get here?"

"I found you on the streets looking weak and then all of a sudden you collapsed…" Miya tried to explain. "And then I took you to my home and I left to get some more blankets, and then…" the girl hesitated as she tried to think over the right words to use.

"Then, what?" Shigure asked apprehensively. "My body… did it change in some way?"

"Change?" She echoed, still lost in thought.

"Oh, uh, you know… maybe a strange change of color like paleness or something simple like that?" He added, trying to make it not sound so suspicious.

"Well… when I came back there was a… dog where you had been laying. A black dog. I didn't know what to do or think because your clothes were still lying in around the dog… I was shocked…"

"Oh, no…" Shigure mumbled worriedly. "Then what?"

"I was sitting there in wonder and then a few moments later the dog transformed into human form in a poof of smoke and it was you! And you were, er…" She blushed uneasily and he put up a hand to stop her. He knew what she was going to say.

"So I put the blanket around you so you wouldn't get cold and a few minutes later it happened all over again."

"How many times?"

"Probably about three or four times over the past two hours."

Shigure sighed wearily. "I guess I'm going to have to make a stop at the main house on my way home. Ah…"

"Hmm? Your family's main house, but why?"

"I'm going to have to tell the head of my family about what happened today." She opened her mouth to say something but he knew what she was going to say. "Why? Because you weren't supposed to find out that I'm like this… it is a secret." Well it isn't really now…

"I won't tell anyone- I promise."

"I know, but I'm still going to have to tell Akito." Who's going to be absolutely livid… Another sigh escaped his lips as stared out the window in the room in thought.

"Well, can I get you anything?" Miya asked, getting up. "Water, tea, something to eat?"

"Water, thanks," he replied solemnly. She left the room leaving Shigure in silence.

I don't know what's wrong with me… he mused, Unless she hugged me by accident, I shouldn't have transformed… but maybe I'm beginning to become more like Aaya…maybe my body is just getting run down…

The girl returned with a glass of water which Shigure thankfully gulped down. It felt refreshing in his parched throat.

But now, he continued to think to himself, because of my transformation she has to forget ever knowing me and may be even more… especially since she saw me transform several times…

"Are you all right?" Miya asked interrupting his thoughts.

"Huh? Oh, well I'm better thanks you to."

"No, I mean… you look like you have a lot on your mind."

"Well," he chuckled warmly, "I do."

"Anything I can do to help?" Shigure shook his head and then continued to stare out the window in deep thought.

"So… what do you do for a living? Do you live nearby?" She continued, trying to pick up conversation. He didn't mind her trying though.

"Hmm? Oh, I'm a writer!" He replied proudly. "And judging from where we're at by the view from your window I'd say I only live a few blocks away from here."

"You're a writer!" She exclaimed excitedly. "I'm sort of a writer myself. I'd love to read what you have written."

"Maybe someday you will," he said turning back to her, "Maybe I'll drop something off here sometime."

"That would be great," she said gratefully and then added curiously, "Are there more people like you? What's wrong with you guys anyway? Please, I won't tell anyone!"

"Whoa now, wait just a minute…" he paused, thinking about the words he should use. "I'm not sure how much I should tell you but I guess you deserve some kind of explanation." She nodded her head eagerly and leaned in closer to hear what he was going to say. "Some of us Sohmas are cursed such as I am. The animals of the Chinese Zodiac possess us in a way. I am the dog, as you have obviously found out."

"Can you control when you transform?"

"No, not really. It happens either when our bodies go through great deals of stress and when we're embraced by someone of the opposite sex."

"Oh, I see… that's actually quite interesting. I'd love to hear more." Shigure smiled amiably and let out a little laugh.

"I'm sure you would but I've said too much already! I'm already going to be in trouble with Akito. Sorry."

"I'm sorry I'm getting you into trouble…" Miya said sadly, biting her lip nervously.

"No, I'm grateful that you stopped to help me. You're very kind." And beautiful! He couldn't help adding to himself. Or maybe I just think all high school girls are beautiful... yeah that's probably it.

"Well, whenever you feel like you have the strength to leave, feel free to. I'm going to go make some supper...

"Do you live here alone, Miya?" He asked, receiving a startled look from the girl.

"Um... yeah, actually. I do. My parents are divorced and I was living with my father, but... he left. He was usually drunk all the time."

"I'm sorry," Shigure admitted, "Feel free to stop by my house if you ever feel lonely or need something. I owe you one!"

"Hmm? No you don't!" She smiled kindly. "It's fine. But I might stop by sometime..."

If you still remember my name... Shigure told himself sadly. There was no telling how much Akito was going to let her remember.

"Well, in case I don't get to see when you leave, take care!" She left the room. Shigure murmured something to himself (probably to make himself cheer up) as he reluctantly got up to get dressed again. He was going to have to stop by the Sohma Estate- he knew it- but he wasn't exactly looking forward to it.

"Hmm..." He hummed thoughtfully as he stared out the window, cradling his head in his hand as he sat on the bed. "Maybe I'll just wait until tomorrow, instead..."