Chapter Three: Leave Me Behind
A/N: Get ready for a long chapter.
Shigure crouched behind the bushes watching Mitchan run (or is it ran?) around his yard frantically looking for him. He giggled to himself. Messing with her was one of the few things that put a smile on his face nowadays. He wondered how long it would be before he could laugh again and finally get over Akito. Seeing as how being depressed was simply not his style. This, of course, was bad news for Mitchan, for Shigure had increased his teasing since Akito had left him for Kureno. Luckily for her though Shigure was soon going to be so distracted that he would barely tease her at all.
"Um…is there a particular reason why you're hiding behind a bush?" came a beautiful feminine voice from behind. He turned to see a girl, perhaps nineteen, with long brown hair and blue eyes. Shigure was struck speechless by her figure and was unable to answer her. She waved her hand in front of his face. Shigure finally snapped from his personal thoughts and pulled the girl to the ground so she was crouched next to him behind the bush.
"Stay down or you'll be seen." Shigure ordered not unkindly.
"Uh…all right." She agreed confused. "Why?"
"To keep from looking suspicious." He explained.
"And hiding behind a bush isn't suspicious?"
"Shh! Whisper."
"Oh! Sorry. Why don't we want to look suspicious?" She whispered.
"I don't want her to find us." He whispered back.
"Why?"
"I'm playing with her. I was supposed to have the last two hundred pages of my book turned in by now and I haven't. So she's looking for me. She thinks it's not even written yet so I'm teasing her."
"That's awful!" she yelled standing. Shigure quickly pulled her back down.
"Be quiet or she'll find us!" The girl was very close to his face; this would have been somewhat romantic had she not seemed so angry with him.
"I can't believe you're doing something so mean! The poor woman is obviously distraught! She looks practically suicidal!" she reprimanded in a hushed tone. Shigure smiled mischievously.
"Yes I know. Isn't it funny." She gave him another disgusted face. "Oh calm down. I'll give them to her soon enough. Just not yet." She backed away slightly from Shigure and dusted off her black business suit. She stopped in mid dust and turned to Shigure.
"Wait. Last two hundred pages? Are you a writer?" she asked in disbelief.
"Why, yes I am." He bragged.
"You aren't Shigure Sohma?"
"My, my what a talent you have." He praised. At this her attitude changed totally towards Shigure and she smiled admiringly at him.
"Oh my god! It's so great to finally meet you! I'm a huge fan!"
"It's nice to know I have such pretty fans." She grabbed his hand and shook it.
"I'm Chloe Sohma. I'm a writer as well. I loved your book 'Beneath the Sheets' it was intriguing!"
"Thank you! It's very nice to meet you. What brings you here to my humble home?"
"I needed some references for college and when I was told that you lived so near by I decided to ask you. If it's all right?"
"Well I haven't read any of your work."
"I've brought a few manuscripts for you to read over." She said reaching for her briefcase.
"Of course. Please come inside and we'll discuss this in detail." Shigure offered standing. This, however, was a very stupid thing to do, considering the fact that Mitsu was still desperately looking for him. After running quite some distance then hiding in a few more bushes, Shigure finally gave her the last two hundred pages and sent her on her way. Shigure sat down in the dinning room with Chloe.
"Now that that's all over with would you like something to eat?"
"I'd actually really rather have you read my work."
"All in good time. I can't read on an empty stomach." Shigure insisted.
"Very well then. But please hurry." Chloe sighed.
"You'll eat some to won't you?" Shigure asked.
"I'm not hungry."
"I can't eat alone. Please join me?" He begged. Unable to resist the look on his admittedly handsome face, she agreed. Shigure picked up the phone and dialed takeout. "Does Takoyaki sound good to you?" he asked.
"Is it vegetarian?" She wondered.
"It's got octopus in it."
She smiled politely at him. "That's fine. Thank you." Over the phone Shigure asked the delivery man to take his time, then after taking a particularly long time eating, he insisted that he'd eaten too much and couldn't read just yet. Chloe scowled. He was toying with her, just as he had with Mitsuru.
"Maybe I should walk it off. Would you like to join me?" he invited. She'd had enough. She picked up her things and walked towards the door. "Wait! Where are you going?"
"If you didn't want to read it you should've just said so!" she yelled. Shigure held her arm to stop her.
"What are you talking about?"
"Ever since I arrived here you've used every excuse possible to avoid reading it. So I'm leaving before you resort to faking illiteracy." She pulled her arm from his grasp. He put his hand on her head to stop her again.
"I was just playing with you. I want to read it, really. Please let me see it and I will, right now." He promised. She looked at him for a moment in disbelief, then set her stuff down and gave him the papers. She anxiously waited for an hour for him to finish, when he finally did, he was silent. He just stared at her very hard for a long time.
"Well what did you think?" she asked tired of waiting for him to answer on his own.
"Well, honestly," he sighed looking to the ground, "I loved it!" he shouted brightly, looking up at her.
"Really?" she asked.
"Absolutely! The characters were so deep! And even though you didn't have much of a plot it was still very captivating. Do you have a sequel coming soon?"
"I…I do. It's an eight book series."
"Excellent! I can't wait!" Chloe smiled proudly.
"So then, you'll be a reference for me?" she asked. Shigure leaned back in his chair and put his hand on his chin thinking.
"Hmm…not just yet." He said. Chloe smile faded.
"Why not?"
"You still haven't gone on that walk with me. After that I'll help you."
"But…it's to late to go on a walk now!" Chloe pointed out.
"Oh! You're right. Well then we'll just have to go tomorrow." He said standing. He offered Chloe his hand to help her stand as well. She took it.
"B-but…I…uh." She was speechless and still stumbling for words all the way to her car, which Shigure helped her into.
"I'll meet you at the Sohma front gates tomorrow at let's say noon. No sense getting up too early."
"I…the…gates? Um…yes." She agreed still a bit taken aback.
"Good. See you then. Wear something nice but less businessy." He instructed. She drove off and Shigure went inside to go to bed. He couldn't help himself; she was more fun than Mitsuru.
She tapped her foot impatiently. First he'd tricked her into coming here and now he was late. She fidgeted with her ponytail to keep herself busy. She wore a long sleeved red shirt that hung slightly off the shoulders, revealing her neck, which was decorated with a black chocker necklace. She wore plain blue jeans and walking shoes that stopped tapping the ground. "Where is he?" she sighed frustrated. There was something about this man that itched at Chloe. Every button he could find on her he pushed and even though she'd only met him yesterday, she could barely stand him. The only time she'd found him tolerable was when they were discussing her book and some of his over dinner. But despite all this she found herself somehow drawn to him. He was physically attractive of course; there was no getting around that. But Chloe was sure that she could not be in a relationship with someone so totally annoying and inconsiderate. Chloe heard a noise across the street and turned her head to see two boys kicking a can along the sidewalk. In this moment when her neck was bare she felt a light tingling sensation. It took her a moment to realize what it was.
"Sorry I'm late." Shigure apologized removing his lips from her neck. Chloe blushed out of anger and embarrassment and slapped the writer.
"Pervert!" She shouted. Shigure smiled quite pleased with himself.
"What?" he asked innocently.
"First you drag me out here, then you're late, and now you just come up and kiss me for no reason! You could at least apologize!"
"That was an apology."
"Well…it was very rude." She said crossing her arms.
"I'm sorry." He apologized. "Please forgive me?"
"Fine. Can we please discuss you being my reference now?"
"Now, now. We haven't had that walk yet."
"But-!"
"The scenery around the estate is quite lovely. I bet that even though you've lived here your entire life you haven't seen much of. Am I right?"
"Yes you are. But my-"
"Then it'll be my pleasure to show it to you." He said offering her his arm.
"The whole thing! But the estate is huge!"
"So then we'd better get going." Shigure pointed out still offering his arm. She gave in and accepted it, slipping her arm into his. They started walking.
"This is going to take forever." She said.
"Lucky me." Shigure smiled. "Now let's talk a bit more about your book." They walked for a very long time, talking about a whole number of things. Books that they'd read, certain authors they both enjoyed, project's Shigure was working on. Their arms remained linked the entire time. Mainly, because Shigure wouldn't let go, but also because Chloe did not try to break free. It seemed like no time had pasted at all until the sun started to set and Shigure realized that it was getting late.
"Oh! I just realized it's getting late." (Ha, ha, I love being repetitive). "You should be getting home." He said leading her back towards her house.
"What about my-"
"Oh! That's right. We still haven't talked about that. Well, we'll just have to meet again tomorrow."
"But I have plans already."
"That's too bad. I don't know when I'll be free again."
"Well, I guess I could cancel them." Chloe agreed.
"Excellent!" Shigure cheered. "I know this nice quiet restaurant where we can talk. Come by the house tomorrow and I'll show you were it is."
There were many more incidents like this. Shigure would promise to discuss Chloe's college plans and instead get her totally sidetracked with whatever activity they'd chosen. After a month of letting him do this Chloe became frustrated and finally confronted him.
"I am really sick of you using me to entertain yourself! I'm serious about this! College is very important to me right now and you just want to keep from being bored! I'm not doing this anymore, I'm going to find someone who's actually serious about this!" she yelled. Shigure ran after her and grabbed her arm.
"Chloe please! I'm sorry!" He apologized. "I do want to help you get into college."
"Then why are you playing around so much!" she shouted. Shigure blushed lightly.
"Because…I wanted an excuse to spend time with you." Chloe looked at him suspiciously.
"Why?" she questioned.
"Because…I think that I…" Shigure was having trouble finishing. Chloe was fed up with this and jerked her arm from him storming off again. Shigure ran after her and grabbed her by the shoulders this time. Without waiting for her to object, he kissed her. She was surprised at first, and then relaxed into the feeling of their lips together. They parted. "I think I've fallen in love with you." Chloe's mouth hung open for a few seconds.
"You're mean and selfish and rude and very manipulative!" she criticized. Shigure looked to the ground. "But," he looked back up to see that she was blushing as well. "I think I've fallen in love with you too." She admitted. Shigure's smile returned to his face and they kissed again.
"Um…you're still going to reference me right?" she asked breaking.
"Yes of course." Shigure assured.
"Oh good." She said and continued to kiss him.
They were together for four very enjoyable months. For fear of what Akito may do to her, Shigure kept their relationship a secret from everyone, even Hatori. She only came over when Yuki was out. And often after visiting Akito Shigure would sneak over to her house. Shigure was very happy; he was over Akito and with a beautiful, intelligent woman. Shigure assumed that Akito would be jealous and force Hatori to erase Chloe's memories. Then, the inevitable happened. Chloe learned of the zodiac curse. Shigure was busying himself with tea and she snuck up behind him and hugged him tightly. When the puff of smoke cleared and it was a dog rather than her lover before her, Chloe was dumbfounded.
"What the hell?" she asked.
"I can explain this." Shigure claimed.
"Shigure? That's you?" Shigure nodded.
"I'm afraid so. Please listen to me Chloe, there's something I should tell you."
"Yeah, no kidding." She agreed. When he was in his true form he explained everything. The curse, Akito, everything except his relationship with Akito. He felt that that was one of the last things she needed to hear. Chloe was, all things considered, fine with the news. She just smiled and said, "At least you don't turn into a Chihuahua." Again they were happy but Chloe seemed more distant towards Shigure. On a day that Shigure had been visiting Akito, he'd agreed to meet her at the park and sit with her a while. She waited patiently for him on a bench, when Kureno came by.
"Chloe? What're you doing here?" he wondered and sat next to her.
"I'm waiting for a friend of mine. Of course if he makes me wait much longer, I think I'll just leave. What are you doing here?"
"I'm on break. The head of the family is seeing a guest and wants to be alone." There was something bitter in Kureno's voice.
"I'm sorry I had to cancel on you." She apologized changing the subject.
"Oh, Chloe that was over five months ago. You don't have to worry about it."
"Well, thanks for helping me out anyway. How have you been?"
"Tired. I've been having a lot of all nighter's recently."
"Work really that hard?"
"I don't think he's up all night working." Shigure injected. Kureno stood up and glared at him. Shigure kept his relaxed smile.
"Shigure what brings you here?" Chloe acted.
"I'm visiting Akito."
"You two know each other?" Kureno asked.
"Yes Shigure was one of my references for college." Chloe explained.
"I thought you were with Akito." Kureno said.
"I finished. You can go back now, I'm sure Akito's lonely." Shigure spat.
"Jealousy is unbecoming for you Shigure." Shigure glared at Kureno then turned his attention toward Chloe.
"Miss Chloe I haven't spoken with you in a while, would you mind walking me to the front gates?"
"Well I am tired of waiting. Sure, why not." She agreed. Shigure helped her to her feet.
"Oh! I was hoping we would be able to talk some more." Kureno said.
"Heh, now who's jealous." Shigure laughed slightly pushing Chloe along.
"Why would I be jealous? I have the girl." Kureno shot back. Shigure glared again and then continued walking.
"Then get back to her." he shot then walked off as quickly as he could. Chloe was confused.
"Who were you two talking about?" Chloe asked when they were out of earshot of Kureno.
"Nothing. You don't need to worry about it." Shigure assured still a bit frustrated with the rooster.
"But I am anyway."
"It's just something that happened a long time ago, dearest. It's no big deal."
"If it's no big deal then why won't you tell me?"
"I don't want to talk about it." His voice was growing angrier.
"Why?" She was angry as well.
"I just don't!"
"What are you hiding from me!" She raised her voice stopping.
"Can we please just go home?"
"Not until you talk to me!"
"I told you I don't want to talk about it!" He yelled.
"I do want to talk about it!"
"It's none of your business!"
"I think my boyfriend refusing to tell me a story about his ex makes it my business!"
"Be quiet! Someone might hear you!" Shigure insisted.
"I think I deserve an explanation." She demanded. Shigure sighed in defeat.
"Okay, you win. I'll tell you." After finding a nearby, quiet, place, they sat down and he told her the whole story. He assured her that she was the only one in his heart now. She claimed to believe him, but deep inside it was slowly eating away at her. The curse, Akito, their need for secrecy, everything was piling up inside of her. Until she finally couldn't take it anymore.
"Shigure, I'm sorry I can't do this anymore." She stood at his door with her umbrella. It was raining hard outside and her taxi was honking impatiently for her.
"Why!" he demanded. He was prepared to get on his knees and beg her to stay if necessary. "Is this about Akito? Because I swear that-"
"There's more to it than that. It's the whole curse in general. I want to be able to hold you, to meet your friends. I can't live in this closet relationship anymore." Shigure got on his knees.
"Please don't leave me. I love you!" Chloe felt as if she was about to cry. She knelt down and kissed him for the last time on the cheek.
"I love you too." And then she left.
I suppose in a way it was very parallel to what happened between Hatori and Kana. But this was different. Hatori had someone else. Him and Maya were obviously meant for one another. Chloe was the only one for me. Akito was nothing compared to what Chloe and me had. But, it was over. She'd left and with her she took all of our happy memories. It seemed that all that was left was the pain of her absence. I didn't even have the will to die. It hurt just to move. I just sat in my office for three days, not leaving. But I wouldn't have traded it for anything. Even if painful memories were the only memories I had of her, I wanted them. I thought that she'd never come back. That I'd always be alone with this empty void in my life. Nothing could fill it. I've never been so happy to be wrong.Whew! Seven pages! That was a lot of work! So proud that it's done. Everything seems to be wrapping up nicely. (Smiley). Thanks for reading. Love, Pyra.
