Disclaimer: I down own Fruits Basket.
Chapter 2: Trouble arises
Shigure ran to the door as he heard Ayame yelling: "Gure! Gure! Help me! Quick!" When Shigure opened the door, he looked worryingly into Ayame's eyes. "What is it, Aya?"
Ayame gasped for breath and was doubled over with his hands on his bended knees, as if he ran all the way there. He looked over his shoulder to see if anyone was around him. "Gure-san! It's terrible! Just terrible! I have no inspiration for my next outfit!"
Shigure gasped. "Oh no...Aya. That is terrible! But, do not fret. Stay over tonight and I will give you all the inspiration you need." He said slyly.
"Alright!" They said in unison.
"Come inside, come in." Shigure said as he lead Ayame into the house.
"Why thank you." So Ayame fallowed Shigure into his house and walked over to the dinning area and sat at the table. Just then Tohru walked down the stairs.
"Oh! Good evening, Ayame-san. Would you like anything to eat? I'm just about to make some dinner," she said happily.
"Oh, please Tohru. I am feeling quite down. I would like something warm."
"How about some Miso Soup?" She asked kindly.
"Yes, that would be wonderful. Thank you, Princess."
Tohru smiled and walked into the kitchen, then Shigure spoke."What's really bothering you, Aya?"
Ayame's smile faded fast but appeared just as quick. "Hum? What are you talking about, dear Shigure?"
Shigure rested his elbows on the table and said in a low voice. "You don't lose your inspiration for nothing small, dear Ayame."
"I have no clue what you are talking about!" He said in a sing-song voice.
But Shigure spoke in yet a lower tone. "Ayame. It's seven at night. You were running. Your hair is messed up, your shoes and dress are dirty. You had no care in what you were walking in tonight. So, it must be something big."
Ayame smiled yet again, but this time he wore it like a mask. "You know me too well. Yes... something...has been bothering me...I...I think that...," Ayame stopped suddenly and watched Yuki walk down the stairs. When Yuki caught sight of his older brother, he stopped suddenly.
"Oh...you're here...Nii-san..." Yuki said calmly.
Ayame turned to face Shigure. "I need to use your bathroom, Gure-san." Ayame went to his feet and walked past Yuki without even looking at him.
Yuki turned and watched his brother walk down the hall. Then he faced Shigure and asked, "Is... something wrong?"
Shigure sighed, "I'm not sure."
Ayame walked into the bathroom and closed the door behind him. He turned to face the mirror and he smiled at himself; next he began to fix his messy hair. Once it was to 'Ayame's taste', he smiled again at the mirror. He put his hand on the door to open it, when his cell phone rang. Without even looking to see who was calling, he picked up his phone and answered. "Yes, hello!" He said his sing-song voice.
"Ayame Sohma?"
"This is him," he said cheerfully. "Whose--?" Ayame looked down at his cell phone as he heard the caller hang up. "He-hello? Hello?..." Ayame's heart began to race. So he wasn't imagining things. He looked back at the bathroom mirror and saw his scared refection. Without missing a beat, he put his phone in his pocket and left the room.
Before he entered the dinning area, he pulled together his bearing and pranced into the room. Tohru had just finished setting down the food and had just sat down to eat. Yuki, Kyo and Shigure had already started.
"Come eat, Ayame-san." Tohru said, happily, as she began to serve him.
"I am sorry, but I really must be going."
Shigure looked up, "already?"
"Yes...something...came up. You know how things can be." He said, smiling. Ayame walked to the table, bent over, and kissed Tohru on the hand and patted Kyo on the head ("Get off!"). Ayame looked at Shigure and stated, "Well then bye, bye!" And he turned to leave.
"Nii-san?" Yuki asked confused.
Ayame, without stopping, left the kitchen.
Shigure went to his feet and followed him. He found Ayame at the door way, putting on his shoes. "Aya, what are you doing?" He asked crossing his arms.
"Doing? Doing what? I'm putting my shoes on to go home." He said innocently.
"You are ignoring Yuki."
"Who?" Ayame stood and fixed his hair.
"YUKI!"Shigure rose his voice.
"Oh!" Ayame laughed. "I am not."
Shigure rose an eyebrow, but decided not to press the matter. "You were going to tell me something?"
"Just about Mine." Ayame said simply. "She doesn't want to work, and it's showing up on the clothes she makes. That's all. Well, I best be off." He walked out of Shigure's house and walked down the street.
As he walked he thought to himself,' I have to apologize to her later. Mine works just fine. But...it might not be best to tell Shigure what is going on.'
A/N: Well, there is chapter 2! I hope you all like it and please review! Thanks so much!