(FB is not my original creation. I just have a fetish, and insist upon making up my own stories for things I'm obsessed with.)
Chapter 7: Bad Dates and Good Company
Shigure was sitting up in the living room, is latest story in hand. He was leafing through the pages, still lost in thought about what had happened earlier that day with Mii. He had buried his attraction for so long, he had nearly forgotten about it, but seeing her in that gorgeous outfit had caused the feelings to resurface.
The rain was pouring down in sheets, but Shigure didn't notice. He didn't notice much of what was going on around him, or at least he didn't take the effort to pay attention. He knew when Tohru and Yuki had gotten back. He heard some quiet, well mannered comment on how odd he had acted upon Mii's arrival coming from his cousin. He heard when Kyou walked in mumbling about the rain. He heard these things, but he was too wrapped up in his own thoughts to pay attention.
The teens retreated to their individual rooms. It was getting late, and they had school the next day. There was a knock on the door, one which had to be Mii arriving, as it was far too late for it to be anyone else. Shigure rose, and made his way to the door, opening it to reveal his rain soaked editor, already in tears before he even had a chance to do anything to torment her. He blinked and stepped aside, gesturing that she should come in.
"Mii? What's happened?" The novelist asked in a cautious tone, not sure if he had done something to upset her. Perhaps he had made her late and ruined her date after all.
Mii sniffled and wiped her eyes. In an attempt to make peace for whatever he had done he offered her the finished manuscript. He was a little leery of letting her read it at this point, after all, it was a story about them, and what would she do if she realized it. She took the bundle of pages and held to herself, the ink on the title page smearing slightly against the wet fabric of her gown, "Th-thank you S-sensei."
She turned to leave and felt a hand on her shoulder. She turned to see a very concerned looking Shigure, "Mii, if I made you late for your date and ruined it, I'm Sorry."
"Ohh!" The poor editor whined, "S-some date, it was aw-awful Sensei!"
He blinked, relieved that he had not upset her, but distraught at the idea that her date may have done something to her, "You're upset, you shouldn't drive home in this condition, especially while it's raining. Please, stay here until you pull yourself together."
"N-no, I r-really sh-should go." She looked away and clutched the manuscript a little tighter.
"Now, Mii," Shigure said daring to reach up and wipe a tear from her cheek, "I insist. We can talk about whatever happened. I'm here for you."
"Well…" Mii said hesitantly. He was being so sweet. And she really could use someone to talk to. He smiled at her. A genuine smile, like she hadn't seen since they first met, "O-ok."
Shigure led her to the couch and let her sit down. She wiped her eyes, and let out a shuddering sigh as she began to tell Shigure about her date.
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Mii arrived at the restaurant only three minutes late. She hurried to the table where she had spotted her date waiting for her. He was a handsome man, tall, with short dark hair. He looked up at her as she approached.
"I'm SO sorry. I had to stop at a client's on the way." She took her seat smoothing out her formal gown beneath her. Her date simply smiled at her.
"No problem. You just have one of those clients, huh?"
"One of those clients…" She tilted her head some and looked at the fancy table cloth.
"Yeah, one of those irresponsible clients that always misses deadlines and whatnot."
Mii shrugged, "Yeah, I guess. Usually he just likes to pick on me though. And like an idiot I fall for it just about every time."
Dinner went on, with little snippets of less than interesting conversation. He was incredibly suave, almost like he was trying just a little too hard. But, the evening went fairly well. Until they headed to the parking lot, Mii headed to her car, and to her surprise her date followed. He leaned on the side of her car, and she eyed him suspiciously. His car was on the other side of the lot, so why was he following her?
"Ummm…" Mii ran a hand over her short hair and tried to think of a way to drop the hint that she was heading home, and he should do the same, "Hey, I had a nice time…see you around then?"
"You know, Mii. I had a really good time too," He said with a grin, "It's a pity it has to end…"
The young editor fumbled with her keys in the lock, trying to get the door open. He was making her nervous, "Oh I don't know…too much of a good thing and all that."
"You know," He said thoughtfully, "It doesn't have to end just yet. Why don't you come back to my place?"
"Wh-what! N-no, I couldn't do that! I mean, I, I hardly know you!" She got the car door open and moved to get into the car, but was stopped when a hand grabbed her arm.
"So come over, and you and I can really get to know one another." Her date grinned and winked at her.
"I really don't think that's such a good idea…" Mii pulled out of his grasp and got into the car, "I've really got to go, I promised my client I'd come back for his manuscript…"
"So? He can wait. C'mon," He put his hand on the car door so that she couldn't close it.
"I said no. I mean no. Now let me leave!"
"You know, the guys were right. You're just a bland wannabe. You think this was my idea of a good night? You know why I asked you out to begin with? Because if I could get you in the sack with me, I made a hundred bucks."
Mii just glared at him, "Well, I'm certainly glad to hear that! I'd hate to think I could actually attract a creep like you!" Without waiting for him to let go of the door she turned on the car and pulled away. The momentum of the car closing the door.
Tears welled up in her eyes. To think that she hadn't seen right through that man's act. To think that anyone thought she would do those things. She tried to stop the tears, but they flowed down her cheeks. She knew she should just head directly home, but for some reason, she found herself at Shigure's house instead.
Still fighting her tears, she made her way to his door. She would get the manuscript, and then she could go home. After all, she was in no mood for his games. But to her surprise, upon seeing her condition, the novelist appeared genuinely concerned.
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"Oh, Mii…" Shigure said softly, "That's simply horrid. How could anyone do such a thing!" He placed a hand on her shoulder in an attempt to comfort her. She shook her head and wiped away the tears that were still rolling down her cheeks. Shigure had never seen her so upset. She let out a quiet sneeze and shivered slightly, and Shigure for the first time realized how soaked she was, "Mii, your simply drenched. Just wait here a second."
Shigure hurried to his room and grabbed an extra yukata. He carried it back to the living room and held it out to her.
Mii blinked up at him, "Sensei?"
"If you stay in that soaking wet gown you'll catch a cold. I know the yukata will probably be large on you, but at least it's not a cold wet dress. There's a bathroom just over there," He pointed in the general direction of the restroom, "Go change before you get sick."
She got up and took the yukata, "Thank you, Sensei." She said softly giving him a small smile before walking into the bathroom.
Shigure watched her walking away then sat on the couch with his arms folded within his own yukata sleeves. She had a beautiful smile. Had he ever seen her smile before? He was still trying to remember a time when she may have graced him with her smile when she came walking back into the living room. The yukata she wore was too long, seeing as it was Shigure's, and dragged along the floor. Her hair was out of the barrettes, which were with her jewelry in her hand. Not that you could see her hands as they were hidden by the massive sleeves.
"Mii, you could pass as my twin." The novelist commented with a wink as she stood in front of him.
Mii laughed. A brilliant golden sound that danced in Shigure's ears, "I hope you don't mind, Sensei, that I draped that dress over the side of the tub?"
"Not at all, where else would you put it? Now sit. Would you like some tea?" The Novelist patted the sofa beside him to reinforce the idea that she should take a seat.
She obliged in taking a seat and smiled up at him, "Tea sounds quite nice, thank you."
"Right," The man stood and walked towards the kitchen, "Make yourself comfortable, two cups of tea, coming right up!" He slid into the kitchen and put on the water to boil.
(Woot! Things are falling nicely into place. See, I told ya'll Mii wouldn't get hurt! That girl can handle herself, ne? And of course, Shigure is there to pick up the pieces for her!)
Shary: Not a rival, a creep. No one can compete with Shigure XD
Silverpheonix: Thanks for the compliments, and glad you liked the story!