Disclaimer: see first chapter
Scattered Papers ch. 4
I knew what Shigure had done on my behalf, and Shigure knew that I knew what he had done on my behalf. I didn't want it to be awkward, so I tried my best to act cheery and ignorant. A few days after the incident, Shigure finally confronted me about the actions he had taken at the Sohma House. Shigure had spoken out agaist Akito, and had endangered himself to Akito's wrath in the process.
"Tohru, can I talk to you for a second, please?" Shigure asked me. I could immediately sense what was coming.
"Yes, of course," I replied with a forced smile. It was probably pointless to keep trying to act cheery when we both knew what had happened.
"Yuki...told you about...the Sohma meeting, I take it?" he said, leading me into the privacy of his study. I nodded that I knew of the meeting. "And you...know what I did?" Shigure pressed, turning his back to me. I nodded again silently. "And do you know why I did it, Tohru?" I shook my head this time, and a silence soon fell upon us.
"Why did you do it, Shigure?" I finally asked, unable to bear it anymore. Shigure turned toward me.
"It's selfish," he said softly as he lowered his gaze. "I suppose I was protecting my own interests. I just didn't want to be destroyed myself...Though I think I've gotten myself into more trouble than I anticipated. I made an error at the Sohma House...but I don't regret it either. I meant what I said." His words affected me deeply, and I found myself at a loss for expressing what I felt. "Yuki, Kyo, and I...we all need you very, very much."
"But- What did you mean by 'protecting your own interests'?" I asked. Shigure turned to me as if surprised I actually asked.
"It means we love you, Tohru, so very much. It means that I love you," Shigure whispered. I began to stammer uncontrollably.
"Sh- Shigure..." I found myself again at a loss of words. I simply fell into his embrace and sobbed softly. I felt so overwhelmed and thankful to know I was so fervently loved and protected by all three of them; they were all my princes, and Shigure represented something special.
