Disclaimer: I do not own Fruits Basket. I'm trying hard to stay IC in this story, and I apologize in advance if I slip up.

Chapter 9: Waking and Explanations

Shigure looked at the passed out Mii; very carefully they had moved her into the house and laid her on the couch. The man had transformed back in a relatively brief time, and dressed himself in a clean yukata. Yuki, Tohru and Kyou stood near Shigure, waiting for the poor editor to wake up.

"So," Kyou huffed as he cast a glance at Shigure from the corner of his crimson eyes, "How'd you manage to let this happen?"

Shigure sighed and looked at his cousins and Tohru, explaining sheepishly, "Well…you see out by her car, we sort of…kissed…" Tohru and Kyou looked at each other, knowing that something had been going on between the two adults, and Yuki blinked in wide eyed shock as Shigure continued, "I must have been so caught up in the moment of our first kiss…I let my guard down."

"You're first kiss!" Tohru exclaimed, "How sweet! Oh, but I thought that when I walked in on you earlier…well...I was wrong."

"Earlier what?" Yuki asked, "Wait…Shigure and his editor? When did happen!"

"Yes well…it doesn't really matter anymore, does it? I'll have to tell Akito that she knows, and he'll have her memory erased…" Shigure sighed again and gently touched his unconscious editors cheek, "I suppose I won't be seeing her anymore."

"So don't tell him" Kyou said with a shrug.

"You know I have to! He's the head of the family; I can't keep this from him."

"No," Yuki said thoughtfully, "You don't. None of us is going to let him know that you're keeping it from him. If no one else tells him, he never has to know. Besides, if you tell him that someone else has learned our secret, he may very well decide to have Miss Honda's memories erased too. I don't want that, and I'm sure neither of you do either."

"You're right. I don't want Tohru or Mii to lose their memories of the family. I've grown quite attached to both." He smiled and nodded slightly, "So, I suppose, for now what Akito doesn't know won't hurt him."

"Um. Actually Shigure," Tohru chimed in softly, "Maybe when she wakes up…you could convince her she dreamed it?"

Tohru hated the thought lying to Mii, but she knew how dangerous it could be if Akito found out that the editor knew, and so she had to suggest it.

Shigure contemplated that, "True. It probably wouldn't be that hard to convince her that none of it happened, although she would likely only discover the truth again anyhow."

At this point Mii's eyes fluttered open, "Uhhh."

Shigure blinked and looked at her, "Ah! Mii! You're awake!"

Mi sat herself up slowly and moved a hand to her head, "Mmhmm…what happened?"

The three teens looked at each other before heading out of the room to give the two blossoming lovers some alone time. Shigure sat near Mii on the couch, "How are you feeling?"

"Woozy. And confused."

"Oh?" Shigure let out a slight laugh, "Confused about what?"

"A lot…umm…before I fainted or whatever…did we….?"

Shigure put on his best smirk, although his gut was a knot of emotions. He wasn't sure whether to tell her about the kiss or not, it may spur her to comment on the transformation, or perhaps she would assume that his becoming a dog was all a dream "Did we what?" He inquired trying to act like his old self.

Making a nervous humming sound, she tapped her lips softly to indicate a kiss.

"Oh? Perhaps we did…or it could simply be your subconscious begging for my sweet love."

Mii blushed softly, "Shigure! Did you or did you not kiss me!" She blushed brighter at her own outburst.

"Ok, ok. I suppose it's safe to admit I did…"

"Ah." She covered her face to hide the fact that it was now as bright as a strawberry, "I-I see. A-and then…and I know this sounds ridiculous…but did you…"

Shigure feigned confusion, "Mii, nothing happened after that…you fainted, and I carried you into the house. I suppose my kiss was just too much for you to handle."

Mii let out a soft laugh and took a deep breath, "Well…perhaps I could handle it better next time…" She suggested softly and Shigure grinned.

"Well…ok. But no hugging, I'm not very comfortable in that situation, hard as it may be to believe." He winked at her and gently reached over, tilting her chin up and leaning closer.

"Ok, no hugs, I promise." Mii whispered, closing her eyes in anticipation. She could feel his warm breath against her cheek as he moved ever closer, his lip finally brushing tenderly against hers.

They heard a girl sigh from the doorway and Shigure pulled out of the kiss, turning just in time to see a flash of brown, orange and grey disappear behind the wall.

PdPdPdPdPdPdPdPdPdPdPdPdPd

"Awww! How sweet! Shigure and Mii, how cute!" Tohru bubbled and clapped her hands together.

"Psh, what's the big deal? So they kissed. So what?" Kyou grumbled.

"Oh…umm, well I suppose it really isn't a big deal, I just thought…" Tohru suddenly began less bubbly as she looked at the floor.

"Have you ever kissed anyone, you stupid cat?" Yuki glance at Kyou from the corner of his violet gaze.

"Well…not of my own free will," Kyou blushed softly as he spoke, "wait, what about you, you damn rat!"

"Huh?" Yuki blushed also as his own argument was turned against him, "Well, no. But I'm waiting for the right girl to come along…"

"Sure. I've been kissed by Kagura tons of times, whether I like it or not. So I've got you beat! Hah!"

Tohru sweatdropped as she watched the two getting ready to fight, "Please, don't argue! It's not that big a deal! I…I haven't been kissed before either!" She blushed softly when they both stopped to stare at her.

Yuki gave her a soft smile, "Well, Miss Honda, as you said, it's not that big a deal. I'm sure soon enough you will find the right gentleman to give you your first kiss…"

Both Yuki and Tohru blushed softly at the grey haired boy's words, and Kyou rolled his eyes, "Good grief. I'm getting out of here before you make me hurl."

He headed out the door and too his favorite spot on the roof.

Tada, another chappie up! And I decided to add a little Tohru/Yuki at the end of this one. I hope you don't mind, I was certain to make it as subtle as I could.

Shary: Thanks again for your undying support of this story! Hope this chapter continues to meet your satisfaction.

TaijiyaSango2498: Hahahah! I got you good! Mii doesn't get the news yet! Shigure fooled her! –Cackles evilly-

Hatori Obsesser: Sorry I didn't update sooner. I have way too many stories going on at once. But, I shall get to all of them eventually!