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? Shigure x Tohru fluff.

Silver: This story is no longer on hold! I hope you all enjoy the update!

Sa-sa15 - Here's the update! I hope you enjoy it!

Renevatio - There will be more Shigure going doggie at the funeral, when Tohru's two cousins get mad at her. -evil grin-

AnotherSleeplessNight - I hate to say it, but yes, Tohru's grandfather has passed away...Don't worry though! He died only of old age!

Alphonse Girl - Thank you! I hope you enjoy this next chapter.

Mrs.Sora-sparrow - Here's the update...

And to all of my other reviewers that are not mentioned, I also thank you for reading my story and supporting it. Thank you.

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 and Shii'sbad mouth. n.n I guess Uo's mouth would count as well.

4rth A/N - This is also rated for . . . alot sexual themes or at least adult theme implied.

Chapter Twenty-two

Tohru had cried for hours after hearing of her grandfather's passing away. And here she was now, a few days later, standing before her aunt's house. Shigure was at her side.

Shigure placed a gentle hand on her shoulder, "Tohru-chan, are you sure you want to do to this?" He asked, looking at her with worry.

His only answer was a nod of her delicate head. The inu let out a small sigh, running a hand through his dark hair.

"Tohru, I don't want you to feel inferior to your relatives." He added.

Tohru lifted her head, staring at her lover, "Shii-chan, I have to see Grandpa once more. Even if, even if I'm not wanted there, Grandpa would want me to come visit him..."

Her words melted his heart and Shigure couldn't help, but pull her close to him, "Tohru..." He whispered, kissing her ear.

"Tohru-chan, you finally decided to show up after all." Came a familiar male voice.

"Eh!" Tohru quickly pulled away, turning to face a dark haired male, "Oh, K-kichiro-kun!"

Slowly Shigure's instincts built up at the mere sight of seeing her cousin, calling out to him. A smug look was on Kichiro's face, his dark eyes showing disliking of Tohru through his glasses. He brushed his hair back out of his eyes.

"Y-yes, I've come for G-grampa's funeral..." Tohru rambled, a happy smile on her face.

Kichiro let out a laugh, glaring at her, "You can go home now."

Complete and utter confusion appeared onto Tohru's face as she blinked, "W-why?"

Shigure gripped the sides of his obi. Kichiro's antics were slowly shredding his last nerve.

"Because, cousin, you are an outsider." Kichiro whipped his finger up and pointed it at her, "A disgrace, Ojisan died because of you!"

Mate...defend...

Tears formed in her eyes as his words hit her, slowly sinking in, "Me-me?" She whispered.

A low growl grew from Shigure's throat as he glared at her cousin, anger and irritation growing once more.

"That's right! When you went back to those strangers, Ojisan became sick and bed ridden. He was broken hearted all because you chose strangers over us!"

As he said that, Shigure reached out and grabbed the younger male by his shirt collar, lifting him off the ground, "Don't you dare say that about her, you bastard." He growled, baring his teeth.

"Shii-chan, no!" Tohru grabbed his shirt, "Onegai!"

"Are you one of those perverts she lives with? It's all so clear now." Kichiro's brown eyes narrowed, studying Shigure with great interest, "You and those two other boys are her lovers, am I correct? So, Tohru-chan really is like her mother, a tramp!"

Those words shredded his last nerve and before he could think, Shigure's hand went around Kichiro's throat. His dark eyes were full of loathing and even more of hatred, his instincts were at the peak.

Tohru squeaked in surprise, "Shigure!"

In a low, dangerous and threatning voice, Shigure spoke.

"You better watch what you say, bastard." He growled dangerously, "Tohru is only here for her grandfather's last words, not to take shit from you. Insult me if you must, but never insult her!"

A look of horror passed onto Kichiro's face as his eyes locked with Shigure's, his own filling with fright. Whoever this man Tohru called her 'lover', was definitely not a normal man.

"Got it?" Shigure asked, giving the younger man a rough shake, causing Kichiro's glasses to slip off his nose.

"Y-yes. I-i get it." Kichiro managed to say, his voice trembling.

"Shii-chan, put him down." Tohru grabbed her lover's arm, "Onegai. Don't hurt him."

Hearing her words, Shigure set her cousin down before looking over at her. He held out his arm for Tohru.

"Shall we go in, Tohru-chan?" He asked, earning a nod from her.

Tohru and Shigure walked into the house, leaving a confused, but more determined Kichiro on the ground. Kichiro's eyes flashed just as dangerously as Shigure's was a few moments ago. Using one hand, he pushed his large framed glasses back onto his nose, staring after his cousin and her boyfriend.

A smirk was on his lips now, "So, that's how they play? My little witch of a cousin has him under her thumb. Whenever she's feeling threatened, he jumps to her defense and before he can kill whoever threatens her, she stops him." Kichiro chuckled, eyes narrowed.

"Interesting, very interesting...I see your game now little cousin..." He said to himself, 'Time to put my detective skills to work for real.'

"Kichi-niichan!" Called a girl, breaking his concentration.

"Hm?" Kichiro looked over and seen his younger sister walking over to him. "Oh, Kita-chan."

"Everyone's inside waiting for you." His sister replied, but before she could say anything else, she looked down at him in confusion.

"Don't ask." Kichiro replied, standing up now.

He quickly dusted off his pants and walked inside, leaving his sister in a state of confusion. Kita shook her head.

"Ok, that was strange." She said to herself, following her brother.

Japanese Words and any other words

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

Inu - Dog

Kichiro - Lucky Son (the name I chose for Tohru's cousin, the one that wears glasses)

Niichan - Big brother

Kita - North (Name i chose for Tohru's female cousin, the one that complained about sharing a room with her at the end of volume 1)

Note - Tohru is about... -thinks- Two to three months pregnant in this chapter.
Silver: I hope you all have enjoyed this chapter. Leave a review on your way out. Ja'ne and see you next chapter!