Chapter Five: Meanwhile Back at the Ranch…

Tee hee. Lemony Snicket. Giggle This is a last minute chapter that I decided to put in spur of the moment. I was like "hey this would be awesome" so I did it. Because, hey, I'm a freaking genius. And modest to. Enjoy.

Chloe was about to start the dishes, but decided against it, remembering that Tohru insisted on doing them herself. Tohru forbid Chloe from doing any housework, and since Shigure wasn't there, Chloe found herself very bored. Whenever Shigure was gone, which wasn't very often, she would read some of his books that he left around the house. But she didn't feel like reading and there was nothing on television, so she took a walk. Not that she had anywhere to go, she'd only been outside of Shigure's house once since she'd arrived. Except for the time when Ayame had taken her out for lunch. So, that being the only place that she somehow knew how to get to, she decided to go out to eat. She left a note on the table and locked the house.

When she finally found the place, she discovered that she had no money to but lunch with. As she was about to leave she heard someone call her name. "Chloe! Chloe is that you?" she turned to see a tall man, about Shigure's height, with semi-long brown hair. He didn't look familiar to her, but he obviously knew her. He walked towards her smiling. "It is you! I'm so happy to see you! Where've you been? You gave us all quite a scare." Chloe just stared at him unable to reply.

"I'm sorry, do I know you?" she asked. Kureno almost looked hurt by this.

"Y-you…you don't remember me?" she shook her head.

"No, I'm sorry. I've had an accident recently, I can't remember anything."

"Oh, I get it you're joking." Kureno assumed.

"I'm afraid not." His smile faded.

"Where've you been staying all this time?"

"Just recently I've been staying with Shigure Sohma." Kureno scowled.

"Shigure. Do you know anything about yourself?"

"Just that I'm Chloe Sohma and I'm a writer."

"I see." He looked to the ground disappointed. "Sorry to have bothered you."

"Wait! Did you know me?" she asked. He looked up at her eager face. His expression grew softer.

"Yes. Quite well actually."

"Would you mind telling me some things? There's stuff I'd like to know, but Shigure didn't know me that well to begin with and I can't remember anyone who would."

"I'd love to. Where would you like to start?" he asked.

"Well, if you don't mind, I'd like to start by getting some lunch." She said sheepishly. He smiled at her again.

"Certainly. It'd be my pleasure." He agreed and took her arm in his and led her back into the restaurant. Being the gentle men he was he insisted he pay for lunch.

"Shigure tells me that I'm a writer. Is that true?"

"Yes. Seems he told the truth for once. You are, er were, writing an eight book series."

"Seriously! Did you read any of it? Was it any good?" she asked eagerly. Kureno smiled. This was how she reacted the first time he'd read her book.

"Yes I did. All of it, I was the first person to."

"Well? Did you like it?"

"I did. I only got so far though before you disappeared."

"Oh. So then I didn't finish it." She said dejected.

"I'm sorry. I've made you depressed." Kureno apologized reaching over the table to hold her hand in comfort. She removed them lightly and set her hands on her lap.

"No it's not your fault. It's just depressing that I didn't get to finish the series, and now I never will. It's a shame." He took his hand back and looked to the ground.

"Yes it is."

"Well on to the next question. How did I know you?"

"Well, we uh…" Kureno paused for a moment thinking of something to say, "You something! I just remembered. You did finish the series. The rough drafts any way, I just hadn't finished reading them."

"Are you serious!" she shouted with glee. (Ha, ha! Glee!)

"Certainly. They're in your house. Would you like me to take you there?"

"Would you, please?" she asked.

"Of course. Just let me pay and we can go right now."

Chloe's house was actually quite messy. There were papers, books, and newspapers spread everywhere. Some of them seemed to be in piles but whether it was by coincidence or some form of organized chaos, neither Kureno nor Chloe could tell. It was a small house, only one bedroom and one bathroom. The kitchen and dinning room were connected and the living room was well furnished. Her computer and printer were plugged into the wall. She didn't have a study but a bookcase next to a chair and lamp. In the bedroom there was a dresser and a queen-sized bed with blue sheets. Chloe was impressed.

"This is actually the first time I've been here in months. It was a bit cleaner when I last saw it."

"You mean it's always this messy?"

"Pretty much. You used to say that all writer's work best in an unorganized environment. You and Shigure are the only writer's I've ever met and both of you are pretty disorganized."

"How are we ever going to find my book's under all this mess?" she wondered. Kureno walked over to the computer and turned it on.

"I'm sure the files are still here, we'll just print them out." Kureno suggested.

"Awesome! Thank you!"

"It'll probably take a while. Why don't you make us some tea?" he asked. Chloe nodded and left to the kitchen. After Kureno started printing everything they sat in her living room quietly drinking tea. Chloe could sense that it was a subject Kureno didn't want to talk about, but she had to know.

"You never answered me. How did I know you?" Kureno took a deep breath.

"We were…sort of involved."

"What do you mean sort of?"

"We weren't officially a couple. You and I went on dates and such. But in the end I was pretty much married to my work."

"So then are we still together?" she asked hoping the answer would be 'no'. She didn't know why. This man was very handsome and kind, but she couldn't shake the thought of Shigure from her head.

"Yes, we're engaged." He answered smiling and sipping his tea.

"Really?" she shouted almost spilling her tea.

"Is that a problem?" Kureno wondered. She sat back down and looked at her hands in her lap.

"Actually, yes, it is." She confessed. Kureno looked heart broken.

"Why?"

"Don't get me wrong. You're very sweet, and charming, but I think I'm in love with someone else."

"You think? The way you talk me up, you'd better be sure." He joked.

"I'm sure. I do love him. There's just something about him that calls to me." Kureno smiled in spite of himself. He stood and kissed her on the forehead.

"We weren't engaged. It was just wishful thinking on my part." She looked up at him surprised. "I wanted to get married but when you started college we slowly grew apart and you ended it." The printer stopped and spit out the last page. "Oh look at that! It's all done." He walked over to collect the papers and put them in proper order.

"I'm…sorry that I hurt you. Mr. Kureno." Chloe apologized.

"Don't worry about it. You found someone else and so did I. It just wasn't meant to be." He handed her the papers. "I hope he returns your feelings." She smiled up at him.

"Me too. I hope everything works out with your new girl as well."

"That would be nice. You should get home. If there're any more questions feel free to ask me. I live in the main house, just ask for me."

"Thank you again, Kureno." She bowed, then left for home. There was something very important she had to tell Shigure.