Disclaimer: Neither Fruits Basket nor the Fruits Basket characters belong to me. They are still the property of Natsuki Takaya.

All original characters and the original plot do belong to me. Last chapter Shigure confessed his feelings to Tohru. The question I decided I needed to answer for myself, is, what should the next day bring? This chapter should answer that question. Please read and enjoy. Of course reviews are welcome at any time...am I repeating myself? Probably.

Also, for those of you interested, I have a little more Miki/Akito and Momiji/Zoe interaction. Enjoy!

Chapter 16 Present Happiness

Tohru and Miki headed downstairs. Soon everyone would be awake and ready for breakfast. Sofia was already working in the kitchen.

"Sofia-san, it's Sunday. Why are you here? I mean…I don't mind that you are here but isn't today supposed to be your day off?"

"We have extra guests so I thought you could use my help today. I talked with Petros this morning and it seems that Petra will not be returning. She received a job offer in Athens and left immediately. From what I can tell she won't be coming back to Kythira for a while. That leaves me a person short. Miki, would you like to take on Petra's duties?"

"May I Momma? I've really wanted to help here for such a long time. We always have such fascinating tenants."

"Very well then, you can start tomorrow."

"HOORAY!" Miki grabbed Tohru's hands and swung her around with total abandon. The two girls collapsed on chairs giggling wildly.

Tohru smiled happily at her friend. "Then, I guess we'll be seeing more of you. I'm so glad!"

"Tohru, would you and Miki mind setting the table? Everyone should be joining us soon."

"Sure, no problem. I really planned on cooking breakfast so this will be easy."

Tohru and Miki sat at the table chatting as the rest of the household filtered in. Shigure dropped a kiss on the top of Tohru's head that caused her to blush a bright red. He then took the seat next to her at the table.

"Good morning Tohru-kun and how is my flower? It's a lovely day isn't it?"

"H…Hai Shigure-san." Momiji walked in and spotted the telltale red spots highlighting Tohru's cheeks. He gave Shigure a nudge as he took his seat.

"You finally told her didn't you?"

"Well, I suppose I did." A little bit of surprise filtered into Shigure's voice as if he couldn't quite believe he had really done it.To his credit, it only took him a moment toovercome that emotion and behave naturally once again.

During the first part of the meal Tohru was a little shy but Shigure's constant stream of banter helped her relax and interact in a more natural fashion. Soon he had everyone laughing at his stories of the younger Sohmas as they went through high school. He regaled his audience with exaggerated tales of the arguments amongst Kyo and Yuki, the times Haru went black, and the number of girls Momiji was having to dodge by the time he was a high school senior. All of these were subjects for his sly wit and amazing storytelling ability. Stories of Ritsu, Kisa, Hiro, and Tohru's friends also entered his repertoire and he had everyone laughing.

In listening to Shigure, it was easy for Nikos to identify exactly what it was that made him an international favorite as a writer. It was also evident why Tohru would eventually realize she loved him. Shigure's zest for life and his uncanny ability to touch people's feelings, even if it was only to get a reaction at times, were exactly what people demanded in the stories they read and the tales to which they listened.

As breakfast ended and the group decided to go down to the beach a light-hearted mood pervaded all. After arriving at the beach Tohru and Momiji each contributed a few stories of their own. Once the story telling ended, the water fun began. An idle spectator would have seen almost everyone splashing about in the water or hunting seashells although a couple of small groups sat on the side and watched.

Akito was quite amused and listened attentively throughout the morning to everyone's contributions to the conversation. So this was what it was like to be part of a group…he thought perhaps he could get used to it.

Shigure ribbed Momiji and Hatori constantly and his comments caused Tohru to blush more often than not. He pulled Tohru into the water and managed to drag her into the water fight he initiated with Nikos and Kyri. In general he was a man who seemed to have removed the weight of the world from his shoulders.

During a break from the action Momiji and Zoe took a turn on the sidelines and watched the train of events still in progress.

"Momiji are you okay? You seem lost in thought at the moment."

He turned to her; a sudden smile lit his features. "I will be okay. It's just that…I've loved her for so long. I've known she would never be mine but it's hard to accept that as the real truth. I think…perhaps…just a little…I hoped I was wrong. But look at her and at Shigure. She's happy and so I can be happy too. As for him, I've never seen him quite like this…he's a lot of fun. He's always been a happy-go-lucky kind of person on the surface but darker currents were always running below the surface. However, today I don't sense those darker currents. He is truly carefree for now." Momiji's voice reflected his inner conflict and Zoe picked up on it.

"Momiji, are you really okay?" Her eyes were dark with concern and he reached for her hand.

"I'm really okay Zoe." He leaned over and kissed her gently. "Thanks for being concerned…come on! Let's go join the fun!"

He pulled her across the sand to the water's edge to rejoin the group. The sad, thoughtful Momiji didn't make another appearance that day. Momiji did feel better after talking to Zoe. It was nice that someone cared that much about his feelings.

The only other person who had cared that much about what Momiji was thinking and feeling was Tohru. That was probably why he would always love her in one way or another. Even without Zoë's moral support, he wouldn't have stayed sad. It just wasn't a part of his nature but he had to admit that her support did help his sunny disposition return even more quickly than normal.

Miki sat with Hatori and Akito watching the others. She smiled when she saw Momiji and Zoe join the fray erupting from Shigure's impromptu water fight. She was still tired from the previous day but it was fun watching the others as they clowned around. She'd known Shigure and Tohru for six weeks but this was the first time she'd seen them in this light.

"Miki-san, you look a little pale today. Are you okay?" The doctor's beautiful green eyes were turned in her direction and reflected his concern.

"I'm fine Hatori-san. It's just that yesterday was a long exciting day then I was up early this morning so I'm just a little tired. You don't mind if I sit here do you?"

"Of course not. I don't think I have the energy of the others myself." He pointed to the beach where Shigure was chasing after Momiji in the sand because the rabbit had stolen a kiss from Tohru. The others stood cheering on their favorites. "I'm surprised he has that much energy. I haven't seen him like this in years."

"Shigure you mean?"

"Yes"

"He does seem a lot different today."

"I think he put his masks aside last night." As he watched Shigure tackle Momiji and then duck him in the water Hatori's lips quirked in an amused grin.

Akito spoke for the first time as Hatori and Miki's conversation entered a lull. "What happens when they return to Japan, Hatori?" Miki couldn't quite identify the tone in Akito's voice. It was a little bit of self-loathing mixed with sadness she thought. Hatori's reply indicated that he didn't hear the same thing.

"Akito, I think you know what will happen. You knew when you set this trip up."

"Such hostility Hatori...haven't I been kind? Look how happy they are right now. At least they will have a few weeks together. That's better than none isn't it Hatori." Akito's mocking tone was different from the one she had noted just previously. It sounded like he was trying to anger Hatori.

"I don't know Akito. I really don't know."

Miki looked between the two men. There was an underlying tension here that she hadn't noticed before. The cause was a mystery to her.

Akito saw the frown that creased her forehead for an instant. "Don't worry your pretty head Miki-san. This has to do with Hatori and I. It's none of your business."

"Well excuse me Akito-san!" She flounced away and joined the others on the beach. She must have mistaken Akito's earlier tone. He was so hateful at times but …

Akito lay back on his towel; his face was the image of indifference. When would he get a chance to drop his mask? He envied Shigure his happiness. It was getting harder and harder to pretend to an indifference and a cruelty that wasn't really him anymore. Just a little longer…he thought as he closed his eyes.

He awoke a couple of hours later. Someone had placed an umbrella so as to screen him from the sun. He suspected it was Hatori but when he turned over he saw Miki sitting there.

She saw him open his eyes and turned to face him head-on. "Akito-san I don't know what Hatori-san thinks but I'd like to tell you what I think."

"Really Miki-san? What makes you think I am interested in what you think" He put as much derision into his voice as he could dredge up. He wanted her to leave him alone because she made him think too much just like Tohru did. To be honest he was curious about what she wanted to say but he was not going to admit that.

Miki was a little disconcerted by his response but she was determined to have her say. "Perhaps you aren't interested but I'll tell you anyway."

"No, Miki-san, I really do not want to hear…"

"Yes Akito-san you do."

Akito looked away from her and out toward the sea. Miki took a deep breath and squelched her temper. He hadn't walked away so he would hear her out.

"I think Hatori-san has mixed feelings about Shigure-san and Tohru-chan. He's happy but has some reservations about what happens when they return. I'm not sure what the reason is for his concern but I think you have the same concerns Akito."

He resisted the temptation to look at her. So he was Akito again…he preferred that to her calling him Akito-san.

"I have concerns Miki-san? And just what would those be?" He yawned with feigned indifference.

"You are worried about the reception Shigure and Tohru will get when they return to Japan. I wasn't sure if this was true. I thought it was and then I wasn't so certain, but now I know. You do care what happens Akito."

"Of course I care. After all it will add interest to my days when Kyo and Yuki come face to face with Tohru and Shigure. It will be exactly as I predicted." There was just a hint of sadness as he spoke the last sentence.

"But Akito, I don't think you want your prediction to come true. I think what you really want is for Shigure and Tohru to be happy together, isn't this true Akito?"

"I don't know Miki-san…" Akito pulled his beach robe up over his shoulders, grabbed his towel, and headed back to the villa.

"I don't believe you Akito. I think you know exactly what you want even if it may be different from your original scheme whatever that may have been.!"

Miki yelled after him and he could tell she was almost crying. Why did he keep lying to her? Why was he always trying to misdirect her? He really didn't know…it had just been his way for so long…

Miki watched him go and slowly followed behind. Why wouldn't he let her see the real him? She knew she'd gotten close yesterday. Why had he suddenly walled her out again?

Akito slowed and stopped. He turned back to wait for Miki. "Miki-san, come." He held out his hand. "Do you really want the truth Miki?"

"I do. Will you tell me?" Miki took a couple of running steps to catch up with Akito.

"Perhaps in time, but not today Miki."

Miki couldn't stop the flash of disappointment she felt as Akito once again kept her at a distance. It hurt that he refused to talk to her openly. But as Akito's warm hand enclosed hers, she decided she could wait.

Shigure sat on the verandah with Hatori enjoying a cigarette and a cool drink. The late afternoon breeze was refreshing after the stifling heat of mid-day. He could hear Tohru and the others laughing as they played badminton on a makeshift court on the other side of the villa where there was a clay patio and Akito was resting inside the house. He felt at ease and relaxed. For the first time in ten years he was not going to think beyond the moment. He knew Yuki and Kyo still called Tohru several times a week and he knew that an intimate relationship between Tohru and him would not get a warm reception from those two once they returned to Japan, but he wasn't going to worry about that now. He had told Tohru he loved her and she had not rejected him. He was certain she loved him and all he had to do was help her realize it.

He smiled as he reflected on the day and the fun with Tohru and the others. It had been a long time since he allowed himself that much liberty in his actions. Always before, his actions were thought out and premeditated. They were calculated to make one person jump right and another person jump left, but today that hadn't been true. Today he had just enjoyed himself and he knew there would be more days such as this. He was determined that Tohru recognize how much fun he could bring into her life if given the chance and how much trust he was willing to place in her hands by dropping his masks.

It was a risk but he had Akito's blessing, now all he needed was Tohru's love. Granted, he wasn't certain what game Akito was playing but it held no animosity in regard to him and Tohru. A load of bricks had been removed from his chest once he told her about Naruie and once he realized that Akito really did not intend him or Tohru any harm. His instincts were never wrong when it came to predicting Akito's actions. Even with Naruie, he had suspected Akito would be unhappy, he just hadn't realized what extremes Akito would go to when he found out about the two of them. The situation with Tohru was totally different. Akito was much different now than he had been ten years ago. Tohru had given Akito a new perspective on life. This too was a reason for loving the young woman who had found a place in his heart.

Tohru played badminton with the others and laughed and chatted but her thoughts were somewhere else. She couldn't get Shigure's words out of her mind. "…If you stay after the others leave, I intend to do everything within my power to make you mine because I love you Tohru-kun…I just want you to know where I stand because the next time I ask you to marry me, it will be for real." Was it truly possible that Shigure loved her? Would he tease her about something like this? She didn't really think so. Shigure often teased her, but he was never cruel to her and so she found herself accepting what he told her. There was no reason for him to lie and the fact that hetold her about Naruie said a lot. Shigure, even with his teasing and outgoing manner, was a very private person. The Shigure she saw today was different from the one of yesterday. He had been very affectionate toward her and had included everyone in his playful mood. If he did love her…then how did she feel about him…? BONK! Suddenly the birdie hit her in the forehead and she immediately found herself in the here and now.

"Tohru are you okay? That didn't hurt did it? I'm sorry…"

"I'm fine Momiji. It was my fault."

"I'm glad you're okay, but warn me next time you decide to play space cadet, alright? So, do you want to play or do you want to be spacey?" Momiji's grin was met by an answering smile from Tohru.

"I want to play of course."

"Okay."

Zoe noted the easy actions between Tohru and Momiji and felt a little envious. Given a different time and different circumstances, Tohru could have fallen in love with Momiji she was certain. But this was neither that time nor those circumstances so maybe he would fall in love with her. That thought brought Zoe up short. What was she thinking? She had only known Momiji for three days, how could she possibly wish he'd fall in love with her.

Nikos had been watching everyone with interest and was especially cognizant of the fact that his little sister's gaze kept straying in Momiji's direction. The suddenly dazed look on her face prompted him to take action.

"Tohru, Momiji, I'm famished. Let's save Aunt Sofi some work and go into the village to eat. What do you think?"

"That sounds wonderful Nikos. Let me go find out if the others want to come with us."

"I'll come with you Tohru," Momiji volunteered.

Kyri and Miki sat down on the sidelines of their makeshift court and Nikos and Zoe joined them.

"Zoe-gal you are well and truly hooked," Nikos announced with certainty.

"What are you talking about Nikos?"

"…You and your feelings for Momiji…"

"Is it that obvious? I've only known him a few days but it seems as if I've known him a lifetime."

"Sometimes love happens that way." Nikos voice was laced with sadness as he spoke.

Zoe looked at him in surprise. "You never told me. What was her name?"

It was Nikos turn to look surprised. "What…Oh I must have spoken out loud. I didn't really mean to do that. Yes there was someone once. Her name was Starielle. We met when I was a sophomore at the university. We were soul mates from the beginning. I kept her a secret because I wanted to surprise everyone when I brought her home during Christmas break. She was coming home from a weekend with her family and her car skidded. It went over the cliff and she didn't survive the landing. There wasn't much point in talking about her after that I didn't think. It was my sadness, not everyone else needed to feel it too."

"Nikos, we could have helped. And since then you've never been in love again." Zoe spoke compassionately.

Nikos grinned mischievously. "No, I wouldn't say that. Would you Kyri?"

Kyri grinned back. "No, I wouldn't say that…"

"You two! What have you not told me?" Zoe demanded. Miki looked up in interest as she waited for Nikos' response.

"Well, until we got Shigure and Tohru settled we weren't going to say anything but…"

"Nikos and I are getting married next summer!" Kyri finished. Happiness glowed in her eyes as she looked at Nikos.

"Hooray! I'll have an older sister I can truly like. Well done big brother."

"Zoe…" Nikos looked at her in exasperation.

"It's only true Nikos. Kyri, you know Petra and I have never been on good terms, right?"

"Somehow I feel a little sad for Petra," Miki said quietly.

"Don't. She made the choices."

Tohru and Momiji returned at the end of the conversation. "Me too, Miki. I hope Petra-san finds happiness in Athens." Tohru concurred with Miki's opinion.

"Congratulations Nikos and Kyri! We heard the announcement. Let's officially celebrate your engagement tonight. The others are coming too!" Momiji's enthusiasm was contagious and soon everyone was involved in planning Nikos' and Kyri's wedding.

It was a happy group that headed into the village that evening. Akito walked with Zoe and Miki as they headed toward the Red Fish Taverna. The two girls happily discussed Kyri and Nikos' engagement and some of their commentary elicited smiles from Akito. He really didn't mind that Zoe was on one arm and Miki was on the other. It was strange but pleasant to be walking with two attractive young women. Momiji and Hatori walked a little behind as they talked together and the two couples were in the lead.

"Nikos, congratulations! I am very happy for you…and me too. There were a few times I feared you might steal my flower from the garden before I told her how I felt."

"Shigure-san…"

"But it's true Tohru-kun."

"Don't say that Shigure-san."

"Nikos please tell her it's the truth. Here she is, the girl I love, and she won't even accept the truth. Oh the pain of her not trusting me…"

"Shigure-san, I'm sorry, I do believe you…I trust you."

"Of course you do Tohru-kun…" With his free hand he lightly caressed her hand that he was holding and winked at Nikos. "I know you trust me."

Nikos shook his head. "Tohru-kun, you are going to have your hands full if you decide to take on this guy."

Tohru blushed bright red and Kyri hugged her in sympathy. "Don't mind these two Tohru-chan, they are just overgrown little boys."

"Hey now…" Shigure and Nikos spoke in unison, which started Tohru and Kyri giggling. Nikos and Shigure looked at each other and soon all four were laughing.

Hatori watched Momiji from the corner of his eye. He wondered how the (little) rabbit was doing. Momiji continued chatting with a clear expression and no trace of regret. He caught Hatori's sidelong glance and smiled. "I am okay Ha'ri. I am totally okay with this." Hatori accepted his word.

Akito glanced up at the laughter and smiled to himself. At least Tohru and Shigure would have a few weeks of happiness. At least he had made that possible. He just hoped the love between the two would be strong enough to weather the storms when they returned to Japan.

A/N I keep finding myself wanting to say "wa do desu ka" every since I learned that phrase on my Japanese language CD lessons. All I'm saying is "How about it?"(that's a very loose translation)Was this a good chapter, what would you like to see different or is it okay as it is? I hope you enjoyed it. I know my chapters are getting shorter again, but at least they aren't that short. I just get to a sentence and it suggests, let's stop this chapter right here and I do. See you next chapter. It should be posted Wednesday or Thursday night.