Chapter 3 – Compromise Solution

It was a late and cold lunch, but Shigure was able to gather everyone together. The atmosphere was tense, Shigure sat opposite from Tohru; Kyo sat next to him and Yuki next to her. Everyone's eyes were focusing on Tohru, but she was still flustered from what happened and was lost in her train of thoughts. She couldn't eat; she as well as Yuki and Kyo were nibbling on their rice one grain at a time.

"Now, now, we don't want to waste Tohru's wonderful cooking now we?" Shigure sneered at his two younger cousins while he enjoyed his food as usual. Between the four of them, he seemed to be the only person who wasn't bothered by the situation that he created.

'She must think that I'm a jerk right now.' Kyo thought as he peeked over diagonally to steal a glance from Tohru. Her eyes caught his and he quickly looked away feeling shameful.

'Oh… Kyo.' She thought.

Yuki saw the worry look on Tohru's face and placed his hand on top of hers. She looked up and received a warm smile from him, which made her smiled back.

"Tohru, about what I said earlier…" Shigure finished his portion of the food and wanted to remind her. She turned over and looked at him feeling a little nervous.

"Yes…" She replied.

"I mean what I've said, so what is your answer?" He asked in a calm and serious tone.

"I… I don't know." At this moment, she wished that she could split herself into three and give each man a piece of her, but that was just being selfish. She took a few seconds to look at Shigure. He was like a brother to her; she had never thought about him in any other ways, but if marrying him would make everyone happy then she should consider it. She knew that he would make her a happy bride and feeling could grow and build up together. She glanced over and looked at Kyo; he didn't seem to be himself. He looked distracted and it was painful to see him all wired up and not being his outrageous self. 'Could it be my fault?' she thought. Kyo had not looked back at her since his glance from before. Kyo had always put off a tough and angry face, but under that mask was a gentle soul; a soul sometimes lost itself and could not express or compresses its feelings. Finally, she turned her head over and met Yuki's purple eyes. He was still looking at her. Yuki was always a kind and noble person; he always looked out for her. She knew that she liked him, but she also liked Kyo. She couldn't decide who she liked more or who was it that she loved. "I can't…" She managed to continue.

"Do you mean 'No'?" Shigure tried to clarify her response.

"No… yes… no, what I mean to say is that I can't give you an answer yet. I need some more time to think about it." She replied gently. "I know that everyone loves me and I'm very grateful to you, to Kyo and to Yuki. What more does a girl wants, but to be loved and have a place where she can call home. I know this is selfish of me, but I don't understand my own feelings right now. I mean that I'm not ready to get marry. I still have school and I need to make plan for my future after graduation. I don't want to be a burden to anyone."

"Tohru, I know that is difficult for you to choose between three handsome men, but you will need to make a decision soon. If this continue on everyone will just get hurt and bury. I love you and I don't mind waiting a while longer, but I need you to be strong and get your feeling out. Let me help you decide with a compromise." Shigure smiled as he reached his hand to hold hers.

"Compromise?" Kyo and Yuki questioned at the same time.

"Shigure…" Tohru looked into his eyes.

"Why don't we get engage?" Shigure suggested.

"Huh?" Her voice was low and confused.

"You bastard! Didn't you hear that she needed more time?" Kyo snapped and jumped up from his seat. Tohru was happy to see him all jumpy again.

"First, you propose marriage and now you want to be engage. You just never stop would you?" Yuki asked sarcastically.

"You'll be graduating this summer, so until then let's be engage. During this time can you reconcile your feelings and make plan for your future. I have no problem with you being with Kyo or Yuki. Between now and then, if you figure out who is it that you love, then I will gladly step aside and let him be your groom, but if you couldn't decide by then, than I'll be your groom. No matter who you choose, I promise to fulfill my words and make everything better."

"What kind of compromise is that?" Yuki exclaimed.

"You damn dog! So, you'll just sit aside while Yuki and I fight for Tohru and if she couldn't choose between us then you'll get her without doing a damn thing!" Kyo steamed up and destroyed the door behind him.

"You can't say that! I have to sit aside and watch you fight over my bride-to-be and that's very stressful too, you know." Shigure smirked back at them.

"Shigure…but I…" Tohru spoke.

"No, buts." He replied. "I've made up my mind." Shigure stared at her; his dark brown eyes met her blue ones assuring her that everything will be alright. She couldn't help but soften up to his word.

"Okay… I accept." She agreed timidly.

"Tohru!" Both boys yelled.

"Great! Then let go out." Shigure said still holding onto Tohru's hand.

"Where?" She asked.

"To get you an engagement ring and make plans for the wedding."

"But…"

"No buts… You accept, remember? We'll get marry right after your graduation." With that said, he escorted Tohru out and left the two younger cousins stared as they disappeared from the house.

"SHIGURE! YOU DAMN DOG!" Kyo yelled from behind.

"Stupid cat." Yuki said while feeling disappointed himself. How could he have let Shigure set them up like that?

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Back Stage Discussion:

Shigure: I've got everyone exactly where I wanted them. (evil grin)

Tohru: Did I do the right thing?

Kyo: This pisses me off!

Yuki: Oh…Tohru. (worried)

Smile: I know that the chapters are short, but I hope that you'll enjoy it.