Chapter 5: Formalwear and Lost Emotions

"Delicious as usual, Tohru," Shigure said as he patted his full stomach, "Honestly, I don't know how I survived without you in this house."

"I don't know how you've survived at all," muttered Yuki.

"How cruel!" The novelist cried pretending to be wounded by Yuki's words. There was a knock on the door and he scampered out of the kitchen to answer. He had a manuscript due today, and it was probably Mii.

Yuki let out a sigh and looked at Tohru, "Miss Honda, I'm going to my base, it hasn't rained in a while and I need to do some watering."

"Oh. Isn't it a little late, I mean, we did just eat supper and well…of course, you have to tend to the base! Otherwise it would die, so if you want to go, I have no right to try and stop you…"

"Why don't you come too?" He gave her one of his rare true smiles.

"Oh! Well, I'd love to, but I have homework and I don't want my grades to suffer and…"

"Bring your work with you. I'll grab a flashlight, and we can work on it there. I'll help you. It's just too lovely a night to stay locked inside." Yuki didn't feel like staying in the house, he knew who was at the door, and he wasn't in the mood to watch Shigure play mind games with his editor. But having some company was never a bad thing.

"Umm…Ok. As long as it doesn't interfere with what you have to do!" Tohru's voice was full of its typical concern for everyone but herself. And she gave him a sweet smile as she went to get her homework.

Yuki walked to his room and grabbed a flashlight that he sometimes used when tending his garden at night, mostly when he couldn't sleep.

A few moments later Yuki and Tohru were heading out to his secret base, slipping past a smirking Shigure and a panicking Mii.

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Shigure opened the door to see Mii standing there. His first reaction was one of surprise. She wasn't in her usual skirt suit. She stood before him in a floor length evening gown that hugged her curves quite nicely. It was a midnight blue as opposed to the pale shades she normally wore, and had a sequins design on it that glimmered in the moonlight. Silver chandelier earrings dangled from her lobes, and a single diamond on a silver chain glistened around her neck. Her arms were decorated with silver bangles, and her hair, short as it was, was pulled back with silver barrettes. He was lost for words as he let his eyes roam over her, feelings that he had long since forgotten stirring within him.

Mii felt his gaze on her and blushed lightly. This only made her look more beautiful in the pale glow of the moon that lit up the yard. Not about to give in to the fluttering of her heart that was caused by the way he was looking at her, she cleared her throat and cut to business, "Sensei, if you could just give me the manuscript without a hassle tonight, I'd appreciate it. I have someplace I have to be."

Shigure blinked, and snapped himself back into reality, "Obviously, by the way you are dressed. Where are you heading?" He inquired, curiosity getting the better of him, "It must be quite fancy judging by how eloquently you're dressed."

"Not that it's any of your business, but a gentleman from work invited me to dinner." She placed a hand on her hip, rather impatient at his interrogation. "Now are you going to please give me the manuscript!"

"Ah, Mii! You have a suitor I see!" The novelist remarked with mock enthusiasm as Yuki and Tohru hurried passed, but he paid no attention to the two teens, and they in turn ignored him. Though Tohru hesitated and blushed slightly at his next comment, thinking perhaps he was referring to her and Yuki sneaking out at night, "And how long has this been going on, hmm?"

Mii sighed irritated, though she couldn't help but wonder if he was jealous, a thought which made her heart flutter once again, "It's our first date, and will be our last if I'm not there on time! Now where is the manuscript! No games this time, Sensei."

Tohru hearing Mii respond and being reassured that Shigure wasn't speculating about she and Yuki hurried once more after the boy, leaving the novelist and his editor to their discussion.

Shigure perked a brow, "Ah, it really is a date then." He couldn't keep a hint of disappointment from slipping into his tone, as hard as he tried. Mii made a mental note of this, but brushed it off quickly and gave him an agitated look that let the man know she was seriously losing patience. Shigure blinked at the look. He knew he shouldn't toy with his editor and possibly mess up her date, but it was so hard to resist pulling just one little gag on her, "Yes, well, the manuscript. He went to the table, followed closely by his editor. He knew full well that his novel wouldn't be there, but he put on the flawless act of surprise, "Oh my! It's gone! I could have sworn I left it there!"

His editor's eyes widened and she looked at him and let out a whining cry "Sensei!" She then let out a long sigh and looked at her watch. "I have to go now. Find it, and if it's not too late when dinner is done, I'll come pick it up."

Mii hurried back to the door, followed closely by Shigure, who still did not want her to leave, but wasn't going to make her late for her date either. He wanted her to be happy, despite the joy he took in making her miserable, "Right. I'll find it, and give it to you then. Oh, and don't worry about showing up too late, I'll probably be up finishing the last few chapters anyway."

"Sensei!" She cried out. "Sensei, you will have it, and it will be done!"

Shigure blinked, taken aback by the forcefulness of this last statement. He needed a clever comeback, and quickly, or she would think he was losing his touch. Something stupid, yet clever, and that would embarrass her if possible, she was so cute when she blushed after all. But before he could come up with anything to say, she was gone. Rushing back to her car, checking her watch every five seconds and muttering about how she was going to be late.

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With a sigh the novelist made his way to the room he used as an office now, his old office having been transformed to Kyou's room. Shigure didn't stop to wonder where the orange haired boy was. A hole in the wall was all he needed to see to know that the ill tempered Souma was on the roof, sulking no doubt after another loss to Yuki at some point that day. Anymore Shigure hardly noticed his cousins' brawls, seeing how often they occurred.

It was unusual that the gaping hole where his wall once was didn't cause him despair, his mind was too preoccupied with other thoughts. He didn't want to admit it, but he was jealous. How could he be jealous? She was his editor, nothing more. She could never be anything more. He stepped through the hole rather than using the energy to open his door, and sunk into his chair, picking up the completed manuscript.

Sighing once again he leafed through the pages. So, this was what his story was about. He had, after remembering their first meeting, known this. But he had tried to put it out of his mind once again. After all, it could never be, for too many reasons to list, Shigure could never allow these feelings to be.

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Mii paused as she got into her car and glanced down at her formal attire. Shigure had seemed shocked by her appearance. He had never seen her look like this, she realized. In fact, she thought, hardly anyone had ever seen her dressed this way.

The question that hovered in her mind, despite her best efforts to keep it out, was it a good, or a bad shocked? Did he think she looked nice, or ridicules? She hardly ever wore anything but light blue, perhaps this was a bad look for her. Not that she should care what Shigure thought. Since the day they had met all he had done was torment her. And to think that once upon a time she'd found him cute.

She turned the key in the ignition and drove away towards the restaurant. Something told her tonight was going to be less than fun. This man she was seeing had a reputation for dating a certain type of girl, one that didn't fit her profile. But, she thought she should give him a chance. Maybe there was more to him than the rumors implied. Besides, now more than ever she needed to keep Shigure of her mind, and a date was the perfect way to do so.

(Another chapter down, and don't worry, Mii isn't going to get hurt, not physically at least. But if I say too much I'll give it away. I know now what I want to do! YAY! My muse is back!)

AmberFox and Lyell: Hooray! My fic makes sense! Not too fluffy yet, I know. But it'll get more fluff!

Celelorian: Thanks. I love the relationship too! I think they are so Kawaii!

TaijiyaSango2498: There aren't enough fics like this. That's why you've never seen one before. Sorry it took so long to update.

Shary: I hope I continue to meet with your approval! ShiixMii ROCKS!

Hatori Obsesser: Yay! I can die happy! My mission is complete!

Lotus Mika: Once again, Yay! My mission is complete! I'm glad you like the couple, and that you think their characters fit.