Okay, and I'm back again! lol.. WOW! Over 600 hits so far! But only 16 reviews.. ;-; Maybe people are reading it and deciding it's not for them and leaving? I hope to get more reviews soon. It's like food for us authors! It keeps us going.. lol..
Btw, Ayame's assistant's name "Mine" is pronounced "Mee-nay", in case you didn't know. lol.

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Chapter 4 - Picture of Loveliness

Ayame smiled proudly as he looked at his newest creation. He had to admit, it had been a challenge to make such a lovely dress, but only because he had to make something that would be perfect for Tohru. So he and Mine had put their heads together to decide the perfect length, the perfect color, the perfect combination of innocence and cuteness without going overboard. And he was very proud to say...

"It's perfect! But of course, it would be, seeing as how someone with talent such as myself worked so diligently on it! But how could I not, with my dear Gure-san needing my help?" He sent a flirtatious look over to the person sitting across the table from him.

"Ah, Aaya, you and Mine put a lot of effort into this, it truly shows your brilliance." Shigure smiled back at his cousin. "But then, I knew that you would be able to do this for me, just as you do so many other things for me..."

Both men gave each other a thumbs-up, accompanied with their usual "Yes!"

"So, Gure-san, do tell what ingenious plan you have formed this time, and why you needed this particular dress for Tohru-kun. You refused to tell me on the phone, and I must admit, I was wounded that you felt you couldn't confide in me, after all we've been through together!" Ayame posed dramatically, one hand over his heart, and the other pressed back against his forehead, as though ready to faint from shock.

"I'm sorry, Aaya, it's just that Kyo-kun, Haa-kun, and Momitchi were here, and I didn't want them to overhear. You know how angry Kyo-kun gets when it comes to Tohru-kun." The snake nodded, taking a sip of his special tea, that he had conceded to make for Shigure as a special treat.

As Shigure explained everything to his new cohort, Ayame made sure to "ooh", "ahh" and gasp appropriately, listening and nodding in agreement.

"But Gure-san, you realize this will no doubt make Yuki angry if he finds out. Though I do agree that Tohru-kun needs a special someone before I become tempted myself."

"That's why we mustn't let Yuki or Kyo find out." Shigure gasped dramatically. "Aaya! You mean.. You would cheat on me!" He gazed at his cousin with wide, shocked eyes, pretending to pout.

"Ah, Gure-san! You know it's painful for me to even imagine doing such a thing when I have someone as wonderful as you." They smiled at each other before lifting their thumbs again.

"Yes!"

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Since it was one of Kyo and Hatsuharu's days at the dojo, Tohru walked home with just Yuki and Momiji, smiling as the younger Sohma told her all about this story he heard in class. Yuki opened the door, calling out a greeting to Shigure before taking off his shoes, only to freeze when a familiar voice rang out throughout the front hallway.

"Yuki! My little brother! Welcome home!" Ayame was making his way towards them, his arms outstretched as though to embrace his sibling, but the cold look on Yuki's face stopped him, and so the snake made do with going to Tohru and grabbing her hands. "And of course, I simply must welcome back the lovely Tohru-kun!" He pretended to gasp. "Oh yes! I've just remembered I brought you a gift, since it's been far too long since you and my beloved little brother have been to visit me! Come, come!" And he dragged her off to the living room, Momiji happily trailing after them while Yuki turned his glare on his older cousin.

"Now, now, Yuki-kun. There's no point in getting mad at me, Aaya came over to deliver a present he and Mine worked so hard to make just for our little Tohru-kun. I simply couldn't turn him away!" The glare of doom was still being sent his way, but he was finally granted a reprieve when Momiji stuck his head out of the living room doorway.

"Yuki! Come see Tohru in her new dress! It's really pretty!" Then his head disappeared back into the living room as Yuki followed, no doubt wanting to see Tohru looking as amazingly cute as Shigure was sure she'd look.

When the two entered the room, it was to see Ayame calmly sipping his tea while Momiji regaled him with one of his own tales. Tohru was no where in sight, and neither was Aaya's newest creation. But it was obvious she had gone to change into it while the others waited.

A few minutes later, at which point Yuki was seriously debating on if he should try calling Hatori soon, the sound of soft footsteps could be heard, and they all looked up to see Tohru standing there nervously in her new dress.

Pale pink with white ribbons threaded through the bodice to tie below the collar,and along the hem to tie off into a bow on each side of the dress, which ended only about an inch above her knees, complete with a white ribbon around her throat, a pair of white gloves with a pink ribbon around each wrist, and a pair of layered pink and white ribbons in her hair. The outfit was crafted to look innocent and cute, while still making her appear slightly more adult and elegant than she would have otherwise.

"Wow! Tohru looks so pretty!" Momiji bounded over to her, going in circles around her and causing her to spin slowly, giving everyone a good view of the dress.

"Oh, yes! I was right, but then, I knew I would be! Tohru-kun does look cute in her new dress! I simply must tell Mine! She'll no doubt be sad she missed it, but I needed someone to watch the store so I could come and see the reactions my design brought to all of you! Poor Kyonkichi will simply have to miss it, but I'm sure none of us mind." Ayame smiled, glancing at his little brother, knowing that this was his last chance to tell Tohru how he felt before Shigure's plan really got moving.

Yuki seemed to have been struck by the stupid fairy, though. He was just staring at Tohru as though he couldn't believe what he was seeing.

"Well, if Yuki's not going to do anything, then I will!" Ayame turned to Tohru, moving closer to her. "I simply can't leave a young woman looking so beautiful without a kiss! It simply won't do!" The snake reached up to grasp her face, only to have Momiji stop him before Yuki could hit him after snapping out of his stupor at the mention of his elder brother kissing Tohru.

"But I wanna kiss Tohru! Tohru's so pretty, and I bet Yuki and Kyo get to kiss her all the time! I wanna kiss her!" Before anyone could stop him, Momiji lifted on his toes and kissed Tohru's cheek for the second time ever, causing her to blush deeply.

"Ah, Momitchi, I don't think that's the kind of kiss Aaya had in mind..." Shigure smiled, one hand held up as he watched on, waiting for the expected to happen.

"Yes, I must admit that though it was a cute scene, Tohru needs to be properly kissed!" As Ayame leaned forward, pulling Tohru's face closer to his own, Yuki rushed at his brother, only to connect at the same moment as Kyo and Hatsuharu.

Slightly dazed, Ayame tilted forward as Tohru tried to help balance him, only to end up transforming him into his zodiac form.

"Kyo-kun? Hatsuharu-san? I thought you were going to Shishou's dojo today?" Tohru watched the young men while a certain white snake used this chance to slither up Tohru's arm to wrap around her neck so he could rest on her shoulders, peering out at the others from her hair.

"Shishou said he wasn't feeling good and asked if we could quit early today and come back tomorrow." Kyo shot a glare at Shigure, then turned back to Tohru and her newest accessory. "Dammit! Get off of her!" Ayame merely laughed as Kyo tried to grab him.

"Kyonkichi, it really is a shame you came home, I was having so much fun!"

"Dammit, don't call me that!"

"Kyonkichi aside..."

"I said stop!"

"Haru, what do you think of my lovely design? Yuki doesn't seem to appreciate it, and I don't really care what Kyonkichi thinks."

"Shut up!"

The Ox turned to look at Tohru again, brought out of his thoughts as he looked her over, taking in her appearance.

"Honda-san looks very cute like that." He commented, getting an annoyed look from Kyo, a blush from Tohru, and a shared smile between Shigure and Ayame that didn't go unnoticed.

"Why are you smiling, Shigure?" Yuki ground out, trying hard not to think about his brother. Shigure began to laugh and wave at Yuki in order to fend off the angry glare being sent at him, but his cousin leapt to his rescue, slithering up to look at his younger brother.

"We were merely remembering that I had decided I was going to spend the night tonight!"

"What!" The two boys yelled, Haru and Momiji merely watching as the drama unfolded.

"Yes! I simply must stay! After all, I promised Tohru-kun last time that I would sleep in her room with her, but I never got the chance!" He laughed in delight as Tohru glanced nervously at the cat and rat, looking ready to kill.

"Go home!"

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Okay, I'm leaving it there for now! I have more plans, of course! I hope I caught Ayame's character okay! It's hard to try to mimic such an outgoing, flamboyant character. He's like an older, more perverted Momiji or something. Scary. Anyway, please update! It keeps me going!