River of Love

By: Chibi Silver Neko

Summary: First attempt at Shigure x Tohru. Shigure has always been fond Tohru, whom he calls his 'little flower'. But what happens when his brotherly instincts slowly turn into love? How will our favorite dog tell his beloved Riceball how he feels? Will she return his love? Shigure x Tohru fluff.

Silver: Now I am happy. I have no writer's block (well, maybe a little one) and my computer is working alot better. n.n Thanks goes out to those that read and reviewed my story and to my silent readers as well. Thank you everyone!

Kiwadoi Seiitsu - Calm down. LOL.

Lady Kayanne - Uh . . . -blinks, staring after you and Aaya- Have fun with him!

FurubaFmaNarutoHngFan - At least Kyo wasn't pummeled by Shigure. n.n; That's the good thing. I hope you enjoy this chapter!

Midnight 1987 - Married? Hm . .. -thinks- It's possible. We'll have to see where the whole thing with Akito goes first. n.n

Nozomulover - Thank you! Here's the update! Enjoy it!

LadyMeleika - Thank you and I apologize for the last chapter being short.

Kaegoe - I'm glad I'm not the only one. I have a 2003 Windows XP, made by Dell. . . But my brother has a windows 98. So, my computer is better . . . n.n

Deadlykitty - Thanks for the advice, Deadlykitty! It actually helped me alot! n.n I really appreciate it! Here's the update! Enjoy!

Dae-chan - -falls out of my chair, laughing- Dae-chan, you're a riot, you know that? LOL. But yes, evil WRITER'S BLOCK! -hisses- May you rot in hell, evil writer's block and leave all the fanfic writers alone! -takes out a gun and shoots the thing known as 'writer's block'-

Kurenai Chinoumi and Kyuubi Lover - I'm sorry about not mentioning you two. Sorry. I was in a rush when I typed the last chapter up. But I'm glad both of you are enjoying the story though! n.n

Yarrowpaw - Thank you and enjoy the next chapter! n.n

Thanks for reviewing,everyone! May you all enjoy a life of bliss, while watching Fruits Basket or reading it. n.n
Disclaimer: I don't own Fruits Basket, much less Shigure. What a cruel world . . .
" . . . " - talking

' . . . ' - thinking

Italics - dreams or flashbacks

bold - Shigure's dog instincts (Go Doggie!)

OOC - Out of Character

A/N - Shigure maybe a little OOC, but it goes well with his struggling feelings for Tohru.

2nd A/N - Since Akito is a female and there is a strong sexual attraction between her and Shigure, there will be alot of sexual themes. Just skip over it if you don't like it.

3rd A/N - This will also have swearing because of Kyo-chan's bad mouth. n.n

4rth A/N - The meeting with Akito starts . . . -dramatic pause- NOW! n.n Enjoy.

Chapter Eighteen

Tohru nervously bit her lip, keeping her gaze on the floor as she and Shigure sat between Ayame and Hatori. Akito's back was turned to the girl and the Madubachi Trio as she layed on the floor, facing the wall. Anger swelled up in Akito's heart as she gritted her teeth. The Sohma Leader gripped the edge of the mat. Tohru's presence wasn't making her too happy.

'Now for my plan . . . ' She thought bitterly, sitting up.

Shigure narrowed his dark eyes, sitting straighter as he watched his leader warily. Akito shifted, getting on to her knees, making the three Jyuunishi members become more aware of her presence.

"Honda-san." Akito said softly, hiding the bitterness and hatred in her tone.

"H-hai, Akito-san?" Tohru answered, becoming more frigid as her stomach became unsettled again.

"Is it true?" Akito asked, turning her head alittle, to glance at her least favorite person out of the corner of her eye.

"Is what true?" The Onigiri blinked in confusion, now lifting her head up to look at the sick Sohma.

Akito clenched her teeth as Tohru's words only fueled her anger. She quickly walked over to her, causing Shigure's protective instincts to flare to life. Shigure's became colder as his leader stopped short of his little flower.

"Don't play stupid, bitch!" She hissed, narrowing her eyes, "I know you're in love with Shigure!" Akito growled.

Shigure's eyebrow twitched inannoyance ashe sensed Tohru's discomfort. Tohrunodded nervously

"It is true, Akito-san, but I don't mean you any harm. Me and Shigure, we arein love, but . . . " Before Tohru could finish, Akito siezed her throat, squeezing with her strength.

A low growl escaped Shigure's throat as Tohru cried out. Hatori'solive eyes widened and he grabbed Akito's arm.

"Akito, you're going to kill her!" The Doctor yelled as Ayame grabbed ontotheir leader as well.

Akito tightened her grasp around Tohru'sneck,still squeezing,"You should never have met the Sohmas, outsider!"

Shigureclenched his fists in anger as his instinctspulsed.

KillAkito . . .

Protect Tohru . . .

Child . . .

"Shigure." Ayame whispered as he tried wrenching Akito's hand off of Tohru as the Onigiri gasped for breath.

Shigure bared his teeth and he drew back his hand, only to bring it into a fist. His fist met with Akito's jaw, knocking his leader off of his girlfriend.

"Leave Tohru the hell alone, Akito." He snarled, glaring at the sick female.

Akito's heart skipped a beat as she stared up at the Novelist, shock and betrayal written on her face, "S-shigure . . . ? How could you?"

Shigure glared at her as Tohru coughed, finally free of Akito's grasp, "I think the question is 'How could you bring misery to the Sohmas'?" He growled, slowly approaching her, "We've been through a lot of shit because of you."

"I did nothing!" Akito growled, glaring back at him, her eyes filled with anger and hatred, "You were the one that betrayed me! You fell in love with an outsider!"

He shook his head, "You were the one that brought pain on the rest of us, Akito. You knew that one day, an Outsider would be successful in getting close with the cursed Sohmas." His dark eyes glanced at Tohru, who was in Hatori's care now.

"Hatori!" Akito yelled, looking at the Dragon, "Erase their memories now!" She ordered.

Hatori gritted his teeth as he kept his hand on Tohru's back, from where he helped her regain her breath.

"Hatori." Shigure growled lowly, "Don't do it."

"Hatori!" Akito yelled again, "Now while you still have the chance! erase that wench's memories!" She demanded.

Tohru's eyes widened and tears formed. She shook her head slowly, staring up at him.

"Hatori . . . Don't . . . " She pleaded in a quiet voice, "Onegai . . . " The eighteen year old girl whispered.

Hatori nodded before looking back at his leader. Ayame's gold eyes lit up as Hatori slowly stood.

"Gomen, Akito-san. But I will never erase Tohru-san's memories." He replied.

"What?" Akito's teal colored eyes widened and she stared at him confusion, "You, you bastard! Do as I say!"

"No." Was the dragon's reply as Shigure and Ayame came to his side.

Shigure smirked, looking down at Akito, "Well, Akito? How does feel to be so inferior?" He asked.

"You stupid dog!" Akito spat, glaring at him, "You're going to rot in hell! All three of you are!"

Ayame let out a laugh, crossing his arms in front of his chest, "Akito-san, I believe it's you who is going to rot in hell."

Akito hissed, glaring at the Hebi, "Damn snake. You were always such a man whore! Dressing in women's clothes!" She narrowed her eyes before turning to Hatori, "And you! Always love sick."

Hatori sighed, gripping his hands into a fist. He punched Akito, knocking her back again. This time, Akito fell to the floor, unconscious.

"I'm not love sick. I'm the one that puts up with your crap." He replied.

Ayame smiled, a mischevious gleam inhis eyes. Ayame placed a hand on the Dragon's shoulder.

"You finally learned how to say, 'no', Tori-san!" The Snake replied happily, "We're so happy for you. Aren't we, Gure-san?" At hearing no reply, he turned to see Shigure kneeling down at Tohru's side.

"Tohru-chan, are you ok?" The Inu asked, his face now gentle and all anger now gone.

Tohru's turquoise eyes filled with tears and her gaze met her Inu's gentle dark ones, "Shii-chan . . . " She whispered, her voice cracking slightly.

Shigure pulled the brown haired girl into his arms, holding her close as started crying, "Tohru-chan, it's ok . . . Akito isn't going to hurt youever again . . . "

Sobs wracked her body as his Onigiri cried into his robe, her tears soaking into it. Shigure gently ran a hand through her brown locks, planting a kiss on forehead. Ayame bent down at eye level with his friend, putting a hand on Shigure's shoulder.

"Is Tohru-chan ok?" He asked, worriedly.

Shigure nodded, holding Tohru closer. He rested his chin on Tohru's head as his little flower's crying slowly ceased.

"I think she was just scared, that's all . . . " Shigure answered.

Hatori turned to Akito, staring at the unconscious Sohma, "I think it's bestif the three of us take Tohru back home." He said, "Tohru will need some rest."

Shigure nodded, standing with Tohru in his arms, "I agree . . . I don't want Tohru-chan to feel stress later on." The Novelist walked out of the room, followed by his two fellow Madubachi Trio members.

"Gure-san, you were quite courageous back there." Ayame smiled, looking at the Inu.

"It's like I said before, Aaya. No one and I mean no one is going to hurt Tohru." Shigure said, looking down at his beloved sleeping Tohru.

"And you were right." Hatori added, putting a hand in one of his pockets, looking at him, "You proved yourself worthy of Tohru today."

Shigure smiled, looking at the Sohma Doctor, "And you, Hatori, have proven yourself to be a true friend."

Japanese Words

Madubachi Trio - This may not truly count as a Japanese word, but this is the term used when talking about Ayame, Shigure, and Hatori being a group.

-san - used at the end of one's name in respect.

Hai - Yes

Onigiri - Rice ball

Gomen - sorry

Tori-san - Ayame's nickname for Hatori

-chan - used at the end of a youg child's or girl's name that is close with one.

Aaya - Shigure's nickname for Ayame. (Sometimes it written as 'Aya')

Note - In Japan, the Japanese sit on mats or pillows, when having a meal, or during a formal meeting.

Silver: I hope you all have enjoyed this chapter. Up next . . . Tohru telling Hana and Uo of the pregnancy. And afterwards . . . not sure. Leave a review on your way out. Ja'ne!