I worked REALLY hard at trying to capture Shigure's character. Did I do a good job? I dunno. I also really love Akito but in this coming chapter I sorta portray her as mean, which isn't exactly true. She's just fighting a depressed childhood like everyone else in the books. Anyway I hope you like.

Disclaimer: I still don't own Fruits Basket. Whoopdy-dingle-doo.

POV 1st Ales

Was it just me, or did Tohru have a tear in her eye as Shigure walked away. "Poor Shigure," She whispered. I wanted to tell her he was just joking around, but she was supposed to know him better than I did.

I let myself chuckle quietly to draw her attention back to me. "He's funny." I said making sure she knew I was laughing, because my laughter kind of sounded like maniacal. Also she seemed dumb enough to think I was crazy.

POV 1st Shigure

After pretending to slave away for hours, I gave Mii-chan the manuscript I had actually finished last week. Hee-Hee, She was such fun. I must do that again sometime. Anyway that gave me opportunity to call Hatori abut my suspicions.

"Tori-chan." I said into the phone.

His voice came back through the receiver "Shigure? What's wrong?"

"Must something be wrong for me to call you?"

"Probably."

"Tori-kun, you're so cold."

"Fine, a new girl came to school today. She needed a place to stay, so Tohru invited her here. I'm fine with that but there is something odd about her. I feel like I know her. Do you know an Ales Loki?"

The bored note in Hatori's voice changes to, was it worry? "I don't think I know a Loki-san." Ah ha! I thought. Suspicion confirmed. Hatori is such a bad liar.

I made myself sound disappointed. "Oh well," When I hung up I found myself smiling time for an experiment.

POV 1st Hatori

I knew my voice wavered when Shigure mentioned Ales. So she did go. I had wondered if she would go. I have to go tell Akito, I thought grimly, even though she probably already knows. As I walked to Akito's room, I prayed Ally was okay.

"Akito?' I called into the room. "I just received a phone call you might want to know about." She rolled over and looked at me. "It was from Shigure."

Akito sat up then and really faced me. As always she looked a little ill. "What does he want?"

"he wants information about the new girl in his house, Ales Loki." Akito give a half smile, "I tried to sound unconcerned but he already thinks there is something strange about her."

"My little Ally is very accomplished, she'll work it out. And if she doesn't and Shigure remembers her, you weren't the only one to love her like a daughter, or little sister." That was true but still it worried me that her adult guardian was Shigure. I suppose I would have to trust him this once.

POV 1st Shigure

Today was experiment day. It was just me and Ales-kun in the house. Yuki had student council meetings, Tohru had work, and Kyo was at Kazuma's Dojo. "Ales-kun," I called out cheerfully "Want to meet my dog?"

She had just finished breakfast and was going to do the dishes for Tohru. It was Saturday, two days after her arrival. "Sure," she said.

She walked over beside me. "His name is Spots," I said pausing before adding "It was a joke." Then I hugged her. Nothing happened. Experiment proved positive.

"Where is he?" She asked. She looked at me, a little daunted by my random hugging.

"Sorry" I said scratching behind my head and looking sheepish. "I tripped and scared him away. I if you see him later he's an all black dog who responds to the name Spots. Ah well. Mii-chan will be here on Monday and I can't bother her properly if I haven't already finished the chapter she wants. Farewell fair maiden." She laughed softly and turned back to the dishes as I left to work and ponder my discovery.