Disclaimer:Neither Fruits Basket not the Fruits Basket characters belong to me, they are and always will be the property of Natsuki Takaya.

As for my plot and OC's, I guess you could say they are mine although sometimes I wonder if I am really in control of this fic. I owe you an apology, this is only half of the chapter, I am still polishing the other half and it will be posted before the weekend is done. I just thought I would go ahead and put this out there since it is at a good stopping place. There is still much going on in my life and sometimes I can't write as often as I'd like.Please accept this offering and let me know what you think. I know it seems like this story is heavy with OC's and it is,but they do each have a role to play and by the time Shigure and Tohru leave Greece, you will know each of them quite well and hopefully there will be no more confusion.

I do wonder though, am I pulling Shigure too far out of character?

Chapter 10: Deepening Bonds

Shigure returned to his rooms and sat down at his desk. Tohru's response to him was still quite innocent and naïve. He loved this about her but he also recognized that she was like a drug in his veins. Each kiss caused him to want a little bit more. He thought of Hatori telling him not to make a promise he couldn't keep. At the time he had been certain that he could keep that promise. He didn't make promises lightly and when he did, he always kept them but now…now he could not let this be an exception. There was too much at stake here including his future happiness. The only solution for now would be to back off and allow Tohru some freedom to experiment with others besides himself. Somehow or other he had to keep his relationship with Tohru at a friendship level, at least for a little longer. It would be too easy to seduce her and he had a feeling they would both regret it later. Kythira would be their haven for 2 ½ months since he had decided not to return to Japan until Mid-June. There was still a lot of time in which to get to know one another better and to fall in love. Granted, he was already in love with Tohru. He had enough life experience to know this was true, but she was new to the game and to the emotions. He wanted her, but he didn't want her to think she was in love with him only to discover that she wasn't. Time was on his side for a little while longer. He would take it slowly and allow her some time to figure out her feelings for him. He never doubted that she would love him, of course he didn't...he just wanted her to know for sure.Having settled things satisfactorily in his mind, he went to bed.

Tohru awoke in the early morning to a little bit of disorientation. A few seconds passed before she remembered the previous night's sequence of events and remembered why she was sleeping on the sofa in her sitting room. He had kissed her as if he really meant it and then they had watched the fire and chatted until she fell asleep on his shoulder. She recalled him moving so she could lay on the couch and then covering her with a quilt. She smiled softly at his kindness. She had planned on getting up after a few minutes and going to bed, but apparently she had never made it that far.

A cool breeze wafted in through the window as she sat up and she glanced at the clock on the mantel. It was only 5 a.m. and the sun was not yet up. She decided that this morning she would be on the beach at sunrise. She dressed quickly and considered taking the passage from her room to the beach. However she had promised Nikos she would not take the passage alone so she chose the path that led from the front door to the beach.

As she started to cross the sand she noticed a lone figure standing there looking toward the eastern sky. He must have heard her coming because he turned in her direction and waved. She realized it was Nikos and hastened to join him.

"Nikos! Good morning. You're up early."

"I usually am, this is my favorite time of day. Everything is so peaceful right before the dawn. Look, here comes the sun." He directed her gaze to the sky just before the display of color began. The purple velvet that was the first herald of the day gradually lightened to rose, to orange and then to yellow until the sun rose high enough to dismiss its colorful messengers. The bright blue of the sky was reflected in the deep blue of the sea and the day was begun.

Tohru smiled. "It was beautiful! That's the first sunrise I've seen since leaving home on Monday. I've really missed them."

"It sounds like you are an early-riser Tohru-kun."

"Mornings are wonderful. Kyo-kun and I are usually up early to see the sun rise but Yuki-kun and Shigure-san like to sleep until later."

"I know Shigure, but who are the other two?"

"They are Shigure-san's cousins. Yuki-kun, Kyo-kun, and I went through high school together. This will make six years we've all lived together since my mom died. They're like family to me."

"Was it just you and your mom then?"

"Yes, Poppa died when I was very small. I was living with my grandfather after Mom died. I was 15 at the time.He had to have his house remodeled so my aunt and her family could come to live with him. He asked if I had a friend I could stay with for a few moths. I told him yes but then I decided to live in a tent instead."

"A tent…?"

"Yes, you see neither Hana-chan nor Uo-chan had a lot of room and I didn't want to be a burden to them. I lived in a tent until it was buried in a landslide. I had only just met Shigure-san and Yuki-kun that day but Shigure-san offered me a room in return for cooking and cleaning in his house and I've lived there since then."

Nikos searched her eyes for shadows but there were none to be found. He shook his head in amazement. "Tohru-kun, I suspect I am going to find you to be a very remarkable person."

"Oh no, I'm not really that. Mom just taught me that everything in life is worth remembering and that life cannot get you down unless you choose to allow it to do so."

"You're mom was very wise."

"I always thought so…"

"It's early yet, do you think Shigure would mind if you had breakfast at our house. We could take some to the villa for him afterwards."

"If he's still sleeping, I think that will be okay. Let me go check on that." Back at the villa Tohru knocked lightly on Shigure's door. When she didn't receive an answer she turned to Nikos. "It should be okay, he's still sleeping."

"Great, let's go! Dad is cooking this morning and his breakfasts are wonderful."

As they entered the dining room Tohru's eyes widened in astonishment. "Sanderson-san! How wonderful to see you again! Nikos, are these the friends you were talking about?"

"Hello Miss Honda, what a pleasant surprise. Don't you agree Esme?"

"Yes, I do. Tohru-san it is good to see you again. I didn't know you and that handsome Sohma gentleman would know our Nikos. Isn't this a wonderful coincidence?"

"Yes, this is amazing. Shigure-san will be so surprised when I tell him!"

"Tohru-kun, where did you meet Alfred and Esme?"

"Oh, we met on our flight from Tokyo to Amsterdam, but I didn't know they were coming to Kythira. This is wonderful news."

Just then Nikos' dad entered the room ready to serve breakfast. He pushed the cart he was using to one side and turned to Nikos. "Nikos, where are your manners? Introduce me to this lovely young woman." Nikos' dad had the same dark hair and deep blue eyes as his son and it was easy to see what Nikos would look like in about 20 years..

"Of course Dad. This is Miss Tohru Honda, one of our guests from Tokyo. Tohru-kun, this is my father, Petros Stamatelos."

"Hello, I'm very pleased to meet you Stamatelos-san."

"As am I Honda-san, but please at least call me Petros, it's a little easier to say."

"I will then, Thank you Petros-san."

"Please, please sit down, breakfast is getting cold."

Lively conversation accompanied the meal as Nikos explained to Tohru and the Sandersons what Dmitri had planned for the day's sightseeing tour.

"You and Shigure will have a wonderful time Miss Honda. You'll be seeing some of the most beautiful places on the island today."

"I will look forward to it, but I should be returning, Shigure-san will be awake soon."

"Here, take him some breakfast, I made more than enough this morning." Petros handed her a carefully wrapped serving dish.

"Thank you very much. I hope to see you again very soon."

"You can count on that Miss Honda. Nikos, keep an eye on her not that I think you would do anything else," Petros said with a grin.

Nikos gave his dad a glare and then smiled. "Here, I'll carry that for you Tohru-kun. We'll bring the dish back this evening Dad."

"Be sure to Nikos, it's one of my favorites. Also, don't forget, it's your turn to help in the kitchen tonight."

"Okay" and he waved as they left.

"Where are Zoe-san and Petra-san today?"

"Zoe stayed at Aunt Sofia's last night so she could visit with Miki and Kyri for a while. Miki's only been home a few weeks and they have a lot of news to catch up on. As for Petra, I would guess she is still sleeping."

"Oh, does that mean Zoe is not going with us today?"

"Not at all. She'll be at the villa by 10:00 which is the start time Dmitri set."

"Wonderful! It's so nice to have another girl to talk to; most of the Sohma are guys and I don't get a chance to visit with the girls very often. My two best friends, Uo-chan and Hana-chan both moved last year. Uo moved to America and Hana to England. There are times I really miss them.

"Were you friends for a long time?"

"Yes, since Junior High."

"I can understand why you would miss them when you had been together for so long. We're almost back to the villa now."

Shigure awoke and instantly knew Tohru was not in the house. He could just feel that there was something/someone missing the minute he opened his eyes.He was sure she would be home soon, but it was terribly quiet with just him there. He decided to take his book and cigarettes out to the verandah and relax for a while. He glanced at the clock as he went out and noted it was only 7:30 am. He'd really have to do something about this penchant he'd developed for getting up in the mornings. He really thought the best way to spend them was asleep in bed. It was about 45 minutes later when he glanced up from his book to see Tohru and Nikos approaching the house. He wasn't really surprised by the development, he had been anticipating this from the moment that Nikos and Tohru met, but when had they arranged this early morning rendezvous and why had she said nothing last night? She had even let him kiss her, why? He felt a tight band of jealousy constricting his chest. He flipped through his masks looking for the right one.

Tohru saw Shigure seated on the verandah and looked at Nikos in distress. "Shigure-san is awake. I wonder how long he's been up. I hope he hasn't had time to worry about my not being here and not leaving a note. I am so inconsiderate at times. Excuse me please, Nikos." She hurried up the steps to greet Shigure and apologize for her lack of consideration.

"Shigure-san, I'm sorry. I hope you haven't been worried. I should have left you a note but I didn't think you would be up so early. You have been so kind to me and I…"

"But I did worry Tohru-kun. I've been up for hours and I looked everywhere for you but couldn't find you. I went into all the rooms calling your name and you weren't there. I can't help but worry when my flower is missing."

"Shigure-san, please forgive me, I am so sorry. What can I do? I'm just a thoughtless, heedless girl."

"Tohru-kun, it's okay now. Now I know you are okay and that you have been safe since you are with Nikos, but you could have told me you were meeting him this morning and then I would not have had to worry. You didn't really think I would refuse to let you do so did you? Please Tohru-kun tell me you didn't think that after all we have meant to each other. There really is no help for it; you are simply going to have to marry me, right? Especially after last night…"

"Shigure-san, I…last night? What do you mean?"

By now Nikos had caught up with Tohru and heard the last part of Shigure's diatribe. At first he had been amused, but now he felt cold hard anger. "Sohma-san, I have no idea what happened between you and Tohru last night nor do I care. I know it was not what you are implying. I do believe you owe her an apology. Furthermore; she did not arrange to meet me behind your back. I do not believe you would actually think such a thing of her. It was pure coincidence that we both enjoy the sunrise and both happened to be on the beach at the same time this morning. The decisions were independent of each other and neither of us knew the other would be there."

"Shigure-san…Nikos…"

"Are you certain of that Nikos, are you so sure that I know Miss Honda this well?" Shigure's voice held a deadly calm.

"I am…"

Tohru was watching both of them in wide-eyed distress and Shigure relented first.

"And you would be right Nikos. Tohru is innocent of what I am implying."

"And Tohru's apology…?"

"Nikos, please, it's really okay. It is I who should apologize not Shigure-san."

"I don't think so Tohru."

Shigure sighed. "Tohru-kun, I should have realized you would not make plans without consulting me first. Nikos is right and I did try to give him the wrong impression of our relationship."

"Eh…no Shigure-san. I don't deserve an apology. I should have left a note letting you know where I was. I am so sorry."

"Tohru-kun…Tohru-kun let it be." Shigure sniffed. "What do I smell? it smells wonderful."

Tohru exclaimed. "That's right. I met Petros Stamatelos this morning. I am so late coming home because Nikos invited me to join him for breakfast and that's when I met Petros-san. He sent some breakfast home for you. And Shigure-san, you'll never guess who his surprise visitors were…"

"You mean the reason why we have Nikos as an interpreter instead of his father?"

"Yes, we know them. Shigure-san, take a guess! We met them on the Tokyo/Amsterdam flight…"

Shigure grinned. "Tohru-kun I can only guess it was Alfred and Esme Sanderson, would that be right?"

"You're amazing Shigure-san, how did you figure that out, isn't it wonderful!"

"Oh Tohru-kun, just a lucky guess I suppose." Shigure caught Nikos' eye and shrugged. Nikos had to smile, their disagreement of the previous minutes on the back burner.

"I honestly don't know what to do with her sometimes Nikos. Our Tohru-kun is a very unique flower."

Nikos did have to agree and the honest affection underlying Shigure's voice completely negated his anger.

Tohru noted the smiles exchanged by the two men and brightened even more. Just then Shigure's stomach growled, probably due to the delicious aroma emanating from the dish Nikos was still holding.

Tohru giggled. "Shigure-san, let's go in and get you fed. Nikos would you like to come in for a cup of coffee or a cup of tea?"

"Sure Tohru, coffee sounds wonderful."

As Tohru went into the kitchen to prepare the coffee and warm Shigure's breakfast the two men were left in each other's company.

Shigure switched to English. "You play the part of Tohru's knight in shining armor very well…It doesn't hurt for her to have a champion like you."

"Unfortunately you played the part of Tohru's jealous lover too well. What are you going to do now Shigure?"

"Return to being her friend and confidante. It's what I decided last night. At least for a while I will. It may be hard to believe at times, but she is very dear to me."

"I can believe that, but why are you telling me?"

"Because I am going to back off a while and give her some space. I just don't want you to think that I'm giving up or that I am no longer in the competition."

With that statement Shigure completely regained Nikos' respect. "You really do love her," he said softly.

"And don't forget that…" Shigure warned.

"Here we are," Tohru's cheerful voice saved Shigure from any further response. "What were you two so serious about?" she asked curiously.

"We were just discussing our plan of action for this week," Shigure replied truthfully.

"Oh, you have a plan for the research Shigure-san, that's wonderful."

Nikos had to admire the technique. Shigure was a master of ambiguity.

"Of course I do Tohru-kun. Our weekdays are going to be busy, at least for a while, so enjoy this weekend."

"I can't wait for Monday, but it will be fun today. It sounds like Captain Dmitri has some wonderful sites planned for us to see . What will we do tomorrow though?"

"Only tomorrow knows for sure Tohru-kun. I haven't made any plans. My compliments to Petros, This is wonderful!" Shigure returned to his breakfast and watched Tohru as she seemed lost in thought.

"I know! Shigure-san do you think we can go to the market today and do some shopping? I'd like to invite everyone to dinner tomorrow evening. Do you mind if we do that?"

"I don't know Tohru-kun…that's a big project and who is everyone? "

"Oh, just Nikos and his family, Sofia-san and her family, and Captain Dmitri and Marina. Let's see…that would be twelve people plus the two of us. I can do it Shigure-san, please? Everyone has been so wonderful since we arrived and I'd like to do something for them."

Shigure looked into Tohru's earnest teal eyes and knew he was not going to refuse. "Let me see…Nikos, will the market still be open when we get back today?"

"It should be, but this is a big undertaking we're talking about. Wouldn't next Sunday be better?"

Tohru spoke up. "Oh no, Mom taught me to never put off showing people you appreciate them because there is always the possibility that you may never get a second chance to say thank you. Tomorrow will be perfect unless…"

"Tomorrow will be fine Tohru-kun. Nikos, it isn't too late to invite everyone is it?"

Nikos saw the bright-eyed grateful glance Tohru offered Shigure and gave in gracefully. "Very well, we'll see how many will be able to come. I don't think anyone has plans for tomorrow unless it is Dmitri and Marina.'

"Thank you Nikos, thank you Shigure-san. It'll be fun, you'll see." She gave Nikos a quick hug and Shigure a kiss on the cheek. "I'll go figure out what we'll need" then disappeared into the kitchen once more.

"It's hopeless Nikos. Once she decides a course of action is the right one, it's impossible to change her mind."

"I must admit that surprises me…I didn't realize she had such a strong will."

"I did have a clue that she was strong-willed, but I ignored it only to find myself blind sided. I tried to dissuade her from a course of action and to my surprise, I failed. We ended up doing exactly as she was determined to do."

"I find it hard to believe that you could have miscalculated her action in such a manner."

"It was hard for me to believe as well, but I think the person who was most surprised by our Tohru-kun was Akito."

"Akito…?"

"Yes, he's the head of our family. His word is pretty much law among the Sohma."

So now I know the name of our young emperor…

Author thinking: hmmm...I wonder if Akito should accompany Hatori and Momiji when they come to visit...that might be fun.