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: It's been nearly a week since my last update, or a little bit longer, but I hope you all enjoy this new story. I love all of you, my loyal reviewers and readers. Thanks again!

Dae-chan - Thank you! I'll try to update my other stories. -sweatdrops- School is hard this time around...

ShioriRose - Whoa, no killing ok? If you want to see killing, especially of Akito, read my story, Fate. But i can promise something aweful happening to her cousins though.

Eskarina1 - You're welcome. I hope you enjoy this chapter. Tohru's gonna get something reaaal good. It'll make her cousins go green with envy. lol.

Yuki's girlfriend - Have you read the manga? It's eventually revealed that Akito is a girl. Go to and type in akito and read up on it. But it's true that in the anime he's a guy. But thank you. n.n

Kalilamae - Poor Kali. lol. I'm glad you're enjoying my story. Here's the update.

My thanks goes out to all of my other reviewers as well. Thank you yukiandkyolover21790, kiwadoi seiitsu, Lady Kayanne, midnight 1987, JennyKim319, Bobalu, AKITO. At The Disco, mrs. Sora-sparrow, Botan and Kurama lover, and Melody. Thank you everyone! Enjoy the story!

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 Tohru's relatives never had names, except for her parents, I decided to give them names. And I think each name suits them well, especially the name I've chosen for Tohru's Grandpa. It seems like everyone in Tohru's family (on her dad's side) has to have a name starting with "K", or at least in my story.

Chapter Twenty-three

His dark eyes glanced around the room. Many of Tohru's relatives have come for the funeral, even ones Tohru never knew she had. Ever since Kichiro had insulted Tohru outside, Shigure's instincts had been on edge, ready to lash out at anyone who dares harm her. Shigure then turned his gaze across the room, to Kichiro and his family. His eyes locked with the brown ones of his little flower's cousin's.

Her cousin seemed quite satsified with something, but what? Before Shigure could ponder more on his thought, something pulled on his sleeve. He looked at the one pulling on his sleeve. It was Tohru. A smile was on her face.

"Shii-chan, it's time to see Grampa." She said quietly, indicating that the line had moved.

Shigure and Tohru had been in line for the past fifteen minutes, waiting to pay their respects to her deceased grandfather. Time seemed to drag on forever as they slowly moved further in the line. Family relatives walked passed them, returning to their spots. Soon Tohru and Shigure were at the head of the line, and Kichiro's family were standing near Grandpa Honda's coffin. As they approached Tohru's grandpa, Kita, Tohru's younger cousin, lunged herself to Tohru.

Her arms squeezed Tohru tightly.

"Tohru-chan, I'm so sorry," She whispered only loud enough for Tohru to hear.

Tohru's face lit up and she hugged her cousin in return, "Kita-chan, it's alright, Grandpa died in peace."

Kita shook her head, her forehead resting on the riceball's shoulder, "No, it's not ok! Ojiisan was suffering all this time. I meant to tell you sooner, but Oniichan said that you didn't deserve to know about the cause of Grandpa's death..." She whispered.

Tohru's eyes widened as she felt her cousin's tears. She wasn't the only one surprised. Kichiro narrowed his eyes, glaring at his sister and cousin.

'Kita, don't tell...' Kichiro's fists tightened at his sides, but Shigure was the only one to take notice.

"Grandpa? What happened to Grandpa?" Tohru asked, staring at Kita now.

Shigure glanced at Kichiro. Anger and fear was radiating off the younger man. The novelist raised an eyebrow at this. What could be making Tohru's cousin so scared of what his sister has to say? How did Tohru's grandfather really die? These questions swirled in Shigure's head as he then glanced at the open coffin.

Tohru's grandpa looked peaceful and a small smile was on the elderly man's lips. Kita hesitated, her forehead still on the onigiri's shoulder. She then lifted her head, her dark eyes now meeting Tohru's turquoise ones.

"Kichiro poisoned him..." The girl said aloud, earning a growl from her brother and a surprised gasp from Tohru.

Tears filled Tohru's eyes once more as her cousin's news slowly sunk in. Her heart skipped a beat. Tohru's aunt, Kin, was shocked as well. Her gaze turned to her son, who was now pale.

"Kichiro?" Kin whispered.

Feeling all eyes of everyone in the room on him, Kichiro shrunk back against the wall. A look of fear and betrayal was on his face. He nervously and shakily pushed his glass back onto the bridge of his nose.

"It's not true--She--Kita's lieing!" He took in a deep breath, stumbling over his words.

Kita's eyes narrowed, anger now replacing her sadness. "I am not! Ever since Tohru went back to living with this guy and his younger cousins, you became jealous and more secretive. You even hated the fact that Ojiisan let Tohru go without checking out the Sohmas!"

"Stop it!"

Ignoring her brother's protests, Kita continued as the whole room remained quiet and watched, "You hated Tohru, you've always hated her!"

"You never liked her either, Kita!" Kichiro replied, pointing at his sister, "You were complaining about sharing your room with her!"

"Tohru maybe annoying, but I would never stoop to your level. You were always wanting to make Tohru out to be a bad person." Kita whispered fiercely.

Her eyes narrowed, "Just because Kyoko-san was a bit on the 'rough side'. I'm sure Tohru's lover here would even agree with me if I said that Tohru is nothng like her. You were the one that switched arsenic with Grandpa's medicine."

Kichiro's eyes now narrowed and he stood straight. A deep, satisfying smirk was on his lips.

"So what if I killed Grandpa? He was a fool for even thinking of letting that outsider for live with us!"

Tohru was at a loss for words, matter of fact, everyone was. She stared at her oldest cousin in shock and hurt. The room was quiet, except for the quiet whispers of their distant relatives. It was Shigure that spoke first. his eyes narrowed and glaring at the youth.

"How could you?" He growled, his fists clenched tightly, "You took your own grandfather's life!"

Japanese Words and any other words

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

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)

Shii-chan - nickname given to shigure by momiji, but it's also Tohru's pet name for him now.

Kin - Golden (name I chose for Tohru's aunt)

onigiri - rice ball (Tohru is often portrayed as a rice ball for some odd reason)

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

Note - I'm not sure if Tohru's relatives were close with Kyoko, but...oh well.
Silver: I hope you all have enjoyed this chapter. Leave a review on your way out. Ja'ne and see you next chapter!