Beccav
02-26-2008, 10:52 AM
Author: BeccaV
Contest number#1
Category: Comedy/ Romance
Theme/Prompt: some sort of Chemistry connection
Disclaimer: A special nod to Takaya Natsuki to whose Fruits Basket characters I dearly love..
The first time Shigure went to see the old man was not long after Tohru came back to live with them permanently. After hearing the story of how Toru’s aunt and cousins had behaved from Kyo and then more completely from Yuki, Shigure discussed the matter with the Sohma lawyers and went to set up a guardianship arrangement with the Honda-san. The old man, knowing that Tohru would not, told Shigure the full story of how badly she had been treated, and was glad to set things up so that Tohru would be protected.
The second time, Shigure went, he had the papers the lawyers drew up, but he also went because he had liked the old man. That trip he found out the elder Honda liked Go; and after that the trip was almost a weekly tradition—a game of Go and stories about Tohru and her mother.
It was agreed that Tohru knew nothing about their games or their legal agreement. Tohru herself expected nothing from the Sohmas or Grandfather. The agreement she made with Shigure was that she would keep house for room and board, but no money—the Sohma lawyers set up a bank account in lieu that could be turned over to her at a later time under her Grandfather. They also agreed to protect Tohru’s rights under her Grandfather’s will; and he cheerfully took advantage of that by having them draw one up. The one thing they all agreed on was that Toru would have choices and the money to guarantee them.
The Grandfather also did not want his daughter knowing about the whole arrangement. That suited Shigure. He had no desire to get to know them anyway, so he just came during the day when no one was home but the old man.
It was a rainy fall day after Tohru had been living with the Sohmas for a year. He and the old man were as thick as thieves and had lost all track of time when suddenly the door burst open.
“Oh, excuse me, father, I didn’t know you had company.” The middle aged woman stared boldly at the handsome young man in the kimono. “Allow me get you both some fresh tea to apologize.”
“Oh, no, no,” said Shigure, rising. “I didn’t realize it was so late.” He glanced at the snobby woman, and added, also without thinking. “I must get back to my little corner of the estate.” He didn’t miss her eyes widen at his words, as they hit home. Well, it really is true, he thought at the old man, who chuckled exactly as if he knew what Shigure was thinking. “Shall we continue this another time, Grandfather?”
“Of course, Shigure,” the old man answered, his eye twinkling, as Shigure turned his back to the gaping woman. Tohru’s aunt had caused her no end of discomfort by being nosey and unkind, and he was enjoying the fact the she was struggling to get her composure back after their little display of very close friendship right under her nose that she hadn’t known about. He picked up his coat, and the old man added, “Usual time, next week?”
Shigure paused, thinking, then grinned. “Yes, I think so. Sorry I had to get off our schedule this week.” He had only been a bit late, but better the aunt didn’t know—besides he could call the old man tomorrow and they could decide on a different day. Actually, he was being a bit of a coward, running off and leaving the old man to deal with his daughter, but he would have to sooner or later, and sooner left fewer clues to explain. He bowed, even to the aunt, as if he didn’t know anything about her, and left.
Next morning, Shigure actually decided to visit instead of calling. He left the house right after Tohru, Yuki, and Kyo went to school, and waited across the street from Honda-san’s until everyone left for the day. He gave it another five minutes for good measure, and slipped across the street.
Honda-san was in good spirits and very glad to see Shigure. “Ahh! Sohma-kun! I’m so glad you came back! I kept the Go pieces in place in hopes that you would.”
“Please, Honda-san, I would truly like it if you did call me Shigure.”
“And I actually would like for you to also call me Grandfather—even if it would be by proxy.”
“Perhaps Father would have been better as I am standing in for Tohru’s.”
“No, no, Grandfather is fine.” They seated themselves next to the Go board, but Honda-san made no effort to pull it forward. “I wish my son could have lived to see her through high school himself. You knew he was a teacher?”
Shigure really had only vague ideas about the man, but nodded dutifully.
“He would have been very proud of our girl,” the old man continued.
“I’m sure he would have,” Shigure said. “She has made a wonderful difference in our little family—actually in our bigger family as well. I still have hopes that she will be the saving of our family and it wouldn’t surprise me to see her become a Sohma herself.”
The old man glanced at him sharply. “You’re too old for her,” he said.
Shigure groaned. “Calling me a dirty old man?” he asked. “Now you sound like Kyo and Yuki!”
Honda-san chuckled. “I’m sorry,” he said simply. “I suppose it comes from living with my daughter.”
“However did you survive last night?” Shigure had wondered all night.
This time the old man laughed out loud. “There are advantages to growing old,” he said. “One of which is you start to lose your hearing. And daughters who get misunderstood often enough, get frustrated enough to stop asking.” Shigure joined in the laughter. “Toru is very much like her mother. I only wish my daughter would have accepted her and really gotten to know her. She would have been a much happier person if she had let Kyouko in her life.”
There was nothing to say to this so Shigure kept quiet.
The old man sighed and moved his go piece. “So how is our girl’s grades?”
Shigure brightened. “She’s doing much better,” he said. “Yuki’s been tutoring her. But he was a bit stumped when it came to the required Chemistry course. She just couldn’t seem to get the idea. That is until Arisa in her usual lovely frank way, said, “For Pete’s sake! What the matter with you? You can cook can’t you? It’s just like following a recipe!” After that Yuki just had her compare everything to cooking and she actually did better than usual!”
They laughed again and the Go game was finished in peace.
Their future games were not so lucky. The rest of the Honda family was determined to find out about this handsome stranger that was so well acquainted with Grandfather and lived on an estate. They began to pop home at unexpected times hoping to find Shigure there. The son wasn’t too bad—after all Shigure was still taller than he was and could be more intimidating when he actually wanted to be--which was rare to be sure, but it really didn’t take much. The two women Shigure soon privately began to call “the piranhas.” They were very determined to get their teeth into him, and he was just as determined that they were not.
So, then Shigure tried borrowing the estate car and they picked up Honda-san and played in Shigure’s study. That worked well once. The second time they tried it, when they returned to Honda-san’s house, they were surprised to a police car out front.
“I hope nothing is wrong,’ Shigure said.
Honda-san’s mouth tightened. “I hope something is,” he muttered.
Shigure walked him to the door, and Honda-san opened it. His daughter was standing in the hall arguing with a policeman. They both turned toward the door as it opened.
“Father! Where have you been!”
“You see, ma’ma? This is why we can’t take missing persons reports for three days,” said the policeman. “I told you he hadn’t been kidnapped.”
“Missing! Kidnapped! How you shame me!” The old man’s voice raised to a volume Shigure didn’t know that it could. “To call the police just because I left my own home for a few short hours!” Shigure and the policeman excused themselves, but the father and daughter did not notice. Honda-san’s voice followed them outside. “MY OWN HOME! I WILL GO OUT AND PLAY GO ANYTIME I WANT TO! AND YOU WILL NOT DARE DO THIS AGAIN!”
There was a pause, and then even louder, as Shigure climbed into the estate car, “I DID SO LEAVE A NOTE! IT’S ON THE GO BOARD! BUT I WON’T NEXT TIME, AND YOU ARE GOING TO QUIT THIS COMING HOME AT MIDDAY STUFF—I DON’T NEED YOU TO FIX MY LUNCH!’ Shigure wasn’t sure what door the old man slammed, but it shook the whole house, and he smiled at the thought that the whole neighborhood knew what was going on in the Honda house.
This little incident left them able to play in relative peace for a short time, although it seemed to make the old man more feeble and fretful. Shigure didn’t see Honda-san’s obnoxious daughter for a while after that, but he soon found that “piranha Jr” was starting to pop up in his field of vision when he started home. The first time he managed to escape, but the second time he couldn’t shake her. Thinking swiftly, he went into a teashop near Aya’s and then darted into Aya’s shop while she was trying to figure out which store he had gone into.
“Guri! How nice to see you! You naughty boy, you’ve stayed away far too…why Guri! What ever is the matter?” Aya drew him into the back room, and while tea was being brewed the whole story tumbled out.
“I have really enjoyed getting to know Tohru’s Grandfather,” Shigure sighed. “I hate the thought of giving up our Go games, but it would be better than letting him find out about our curse. Her cousin is quite persistent, and keeps trying to take my arm or find a why to snuggle up next to me.”
“That doesn’t sound like you at all, Guri. It sounds to me like that girl needs to be taught a lesson on how to treat others. Wasn’t she the one that was so unkind to our darling Tohru?”
“And do you think Tohru would want me to go out of my way to be unkind?”
Aya flounced up tossing his long hair over his shoulder. “You’re just too good, Guri. You’re right, I suppose.” The store bell clamored for attention just then. “I’ll be back. Just sit there and enjoy your tea.”
Regally, Aya strode into the shop area. “Good evening, “ he began theatrically, then stopped. “Oh. You’re Honda-san’s granddaughter, aren’t you? The one that lives with him?”
“Oh, wow, how did you know?” The young woman staring at Aya wasn’t so bad looking, he thought. She must have been really pushy on top of how she treated Tohru; otherwise Guri couldn’t have helped but to flirt a little. “ Is it Shigure-san? Is he here?” Her eyes darted around the room like a hawk’s, looking for prey.
“Shigure-kun told me yes, but no, he is not here. I’m supposed to see him later tonight at the estate. May I give him a message?” Aya saw how her eyes light up when he said estate, and narrowed, calculating when he offered to take a message.
“Huh, yeah, tell him to call me. Please.” This last was added as an afterthought.
\
“Of course. And now, unless I can interest you in my beautiful fabrics, it is time for the shop to close for today.” Without any further ado, Aya ushered her out of the shop, locking the door, and drawing the blinds in one swift motion.
He drew the drapes behind him as he went back to Shigure. “You’re right, Guri. She is a piranha.”
Shigure jumped to his feet, nearly tripping on his kimono. “What? She’s here? How…”
Aya flapped his hands at him and grinned. “Relax! I got rid of her.” His eyes grew troubled. “But I do think we need to talk about this. I’m going to call Hari.”
A few days later, Shigure decided that Hari’s advice had been the best, even though he hated the thought of giving up the regular Go games. The real truth was that Honda-san was having a hard time of it, and this would make it easier on the old man. As Hari pointed out a short break would get everyone off their back. To make it clear, he was going when the rest of the family would be home. He had several gifts for the old man, including a beautiful new kimono, as the old man had openly admired one of his in particular. It was as close as he could find, and he hoped the Grandfather liked it.
Tohru’s aunt opened the door and stuttered in surprise. “I don’t know if you remember me,” Shigure said smoothly, although he knew quite well she did. “My name is Sohma. I would like to speak with your father for a while.”
He followed her into the next room and the old man looked up. “Why, Shigure-kun! I did not expect you.”
Shigure bowed. “Good evening, Grandfather. I’m sorry to disturb you so late.”
“Not at all, not at all.” He glared at his daughter in the doorway. “Go away. Am I to have no privacy in my own home?” As the door shut behind her, he asked, “Is everything all right? Is there a problem with Tohru?”
Shigure smiled, “Relax, my friend. Nothing is wrong with Tohru. She’s her normal wonderful self.” He sat down next to the old man. “I came about a different matter,” and in a swift low voice told the old man what had been happening, and his decision to stop coming for Go.
“I don’t have much in life to look forward to,” said the old man sadly. “It’s too bad this had to be taken away.”
Shigure heard the sadness in his voice, but his sharp ears also heard three people crunched outside the door, trying to listen, and his heart burned. “Don’t worry, old man. It’s like this, see,” he said in imitation of an old American movie that the old man had been watching when Shigure visited last week, “we’re just going to lay low, see? And when the heat’s off, see, we’re going to blow this joint.”
Honda-san laughed through the near tears. Shigure straightened up and said louder, “I have fondest hopes that our girl will be a Sohma very soon.” The grandfather started, and Shigure held a finger to his lips. “In light of that, you may want to consider wearing this to the wedding.” He brought forth the box containing the kimono and the grandfather lifted the top from the box.
“No, Shigure-kun, this is beautiful, but it is far too fine, and expensive.”
“No, it is not.” Looking straight in the old man’s eyes, Shigure continued. “In light of the precious gift you have shared with me and my family, it is not too fine.”
Outside the door, the ruckus threatened to escalate into the current room, but Shigure no longer cared. Let them think what they want for the moment; let their false hopes get dashed. It was not his fault.
Shigure pulled out a fine bottle of rice wine and another package. “Let this warm up your tea while we are apart, and this keep you company until we can play again.” As the old man opened the beautifully bound volume on advanced “Go” techniques, he added, “Although I hate to see you get any harder to beat.”
The eyes that always reminded Shigure of Tohru’s twinkled, and the hand that trembled slightly was warm on his shoulder. “You are a good man, Shigure. A good man. Anyone would be proud to welcome you in his extended family,” the old man said simply.
At that point the door burst open and the three outside fell forward. “Father! What just happened?” came one strident voice.
Then, scrambling, the younger woman picked herself up off the floor, “Oh, Shigure! You mean you want to get married?”
Shigure took the opportunity to hid behind the old man. “I beg your pardon,” he said in an injured voice. “I don’t recall saying a thing about wanting to get married!”
“But you said our girl?!” There was a definite whine in there.
“Father! What is all of this?”
“And Grandfather said extended family!” This had to be a full pout.
“Father! I need an answer! Hush girl, there’s no need for hysterics!”
“I heard him say wedding, too!” interjected the son of the family.
“Everyone be quiet!” The old man huffed a little. Shigure took hold of his shoulder, concerned, but the old man shook it off. “Shigure. I apologize again for the behavior of my family. It seems that I am not able to deal with your family without my family causing problems.”
“How can you say that? That’s not fair!” This girl is really older than Tohru? Shigure marveled.
“I said quiet! This gentleman is Sohma Shigure, Tohru’s other guardian. It was she that we were speaking of, and no, we were not speaking of her marrying Shigure; just the possibility that a match might arise between her and one of the younger Sohmas." The old man's voice trembled a little. "Tohru is the only Honda that has not shamed me in front of this family.”
Shigure’s heart contracted at the pain in his friend’s voice. He laid one hand on the old man’s shoulder. “And that one Honda along with you have done more good for my family than any of this could harm. Do not worry, my friend. I will give you a call when my business is done and I can visit again. I fear it will be several months. And do not save that kimono for a wedding that may not come. If it does, you and I will go shopping together. Enjoy it now.” He bowed and excused himself.
The air was crisp and the night was clear. Shigure watched the stars twinkle as he slowly walked home, thinking. There had been a time he would have enjoyed that—in fact would have made it much worse all in the name of a practical joke. He would have missed the pain in Honda-san heart, and wouldn’t have thought to ease it. “I was as spoiled as that girl is,” he thought. “Without a thought for anyone else. I’ve often been as thoughtless with Yuki and Kyo. I must work harder at seeing people the way Tohru does, even if I never get a good as she is. But, then again, after all, one doesn’t have to be all serious.” And he hummed the rest of the way home.
###
Contest number#1
Category: Comedy/ Romance
Theme/Prompt: some sort of Chemistry connection
Disclaimer: A special nod to Takaya Natsuki to whose Fruits Basket characters I dearly love..
The first time Shigure went to see the old man was not long after Tohru came back to live with them permanently. After hearing the story of how Toru’s aunt and cousins had behaved from Kyo and then more completely from Yuki, Shigure discussed the matter with the Sohma lawyers and went to set up a guardianship arrangement with the Honda-san. The old man, knowing that Tohru would not, told Shigure the full story of how badly she had been treated, and was glad to set things up so that Tohru would be protected.
The second time, Shigure went, he had the papers the lawyers drew up, but he also went because he had liked the old man. That trip he found out the elder Honda liked Go; and after that the trip was almost a weekly tradition—a game of Go and stories about Tohru and her mother.
It was agreed that Tohru knew nothing about their games or their legal agreement. Tohru herself expected nothing from the Sohmas or Grandfather. The agreement she made with Shigure was that she would keep house for room and board, but no money—the Sohma lawyers set up a bank account in lieu that could be turned over to her at a later time under her Grandfather. They also agreed to protect Tohru’s rights under her Grandfather’s will; and he cheerfully took advantage of that by having them draw one up. The one thing they all agreed on was that Toru would have choices and the money to guarantee them.
The Grandfather also did not want his daughter knowing about the whole arrangement. That suited Shigure. He had no desire to get to know them anyway, so he just came during the day when no one was home but the old man.
It was a rainy fall day after Tohru had been living with the Sohmas for a year. He and the old man were as thick as thieves and had lost all track of time when suddenly the door burst open.
“Oh, excuse me, father, I didn’t know you had company.” The middle aged woman stared boldly at the handsome young man in the kimono. “Allow me get you both some fresh tea to apologize.”
“Oh, no, no,” said Shigure, rising. “I didn’t realize it was so late.” He glanced at the snobby woman, and added, also without thinking. “I must get back to my little corner of the estate.” He didn’t miss her eyes widen at his words, as they hit home. Well, it really is true, he thought at the old man, who chuckled exactly as if he knew what Shigure was thinking. “Shall we continue this another time, Grandfather?”
“Of course, Shigure,” the old man answered, his eye twinkling, as Shigure turned his back to the gaping woman. Tohru’s aunt had caused her no end of discomfort by being nosey and unkind, and he was enjoying the fact the she was struggling to get her composure back after their little display of very close friendship right under her nose that she hadn’t known about. He picked up his coat, and the old man added, “Usual time, next week?”
Shigure paused, thinking, then grinned. “Yes, I think so. Sorry I had to get off our schedule this week.” He had only been a bit late, but better the aunt didn’t know—besides he could call the old man tomorrow and they could decide on a different day. Actually, he was being a bit of a coward, running off and leaving the old man to deal with his daughter, but he would have to sooner or later, and sooner left fewer clues to explain. He bowed, even to the aunt, as if he didn’t know anything about her, and left.
Next morning, Shigure actually decided to visit instead of calling. He left the house right after Tohru, Yuki, and Kyo went to school, and waited across the street from Honda-san’s until everyone left for the day. He gave it another five minutes for good measure, and slipped across the street.
Honda-san was in good spirits and very glad to see Shigure. “Ahh! Sohma-kun! I’m so glad you came back! I kept the Go pieces in place in hopes that you would.”
“Please, Honda-san, I would truly like it if you did call me Shigure.”
“And I actually would like for you to also call me Grandfather—even if it would be by proxy.”
“Perhaps Father would have been better as I am standing in for Tohru’s.”
“No, no, Grandfather is fine.” They seated themselves next to the Go board, but Honda-san made no effort to pull it forward. “I wish my son could have lived to see her through high school himself. You knew he was a teacher?”
Shigure really had only vague ideas about the man, but nodded dutifully.
“He would have been very proud of our girl,” the old man continued.
“I’m sure he would have,” Shigure said. “She has made a wonderful difference in our little family—actually in our bigger family as well. I still have hopes that she will be the saving of our family and it wouldn’t surprise me to see her become a Sohma herself.”
The old man glanced at him sharply. “You’re too old for her,” he said.
Shigure groaned. “Calling me a dirty old man?” he asked. “Now you sound like Kyo and Yuki!”
Honda-san chuckled. “I’m sorry,” he said simply. “I suppose it comes from living with my daughter.”
“However did you survive last night?” Shigure had wondered all night.
This time the old man laughed out loud. “There are advantages to growing old,” he said. “One of which is you start to lose your hearing. And daughters who get misunderstood often enough, get frustrated enough to stop asking.” Shigure joined in the laughter. “Toru is very much like her mother. I only wish my daughter would have accepted her and really gotten to know her. She would have been a much happier person if she had let Kyouko in her life.”
There was nothing to say to this so Shigure kept quiet.
The old man sighed and moved his go piece. “So how is our girl’s grades?”
Shigure brightened. “She’s doing much better,” he said. “Yuki’s been tutoring her. But he was a bit stumped when it came to the required Chemistry course. She just couldn’t seem to get the idea. That is until Arisa in her usual lovely frank way, said, “For Pete’s sake! What the matter with you? You can cook can’t you? It’s just like following a recipe!” After that Yuki just had her compare everything to cooking and she actually did better than usual!”
They laughed again and the Go game was finished in peace.
Their future games were not so lucky. The rest of the Honda family was determined to find out about this handsome stranger that was so well acquainted with Grandfather and lived on an estate. They began to pop home at unexpected times hoping to find Shigure there. The son wasn’t too bad—after all Shigure was still taller than he was and could be more intimidating when he actually wanted to be--which was rare to be sure, but it really didn’t take much. The two women Shigure soon privately began to call “the piranhas.” They were very determined to get their teeth into him, and he was just as determined that they were not.
So, then Shigure tried borrowing the estate car and they picked up Honda-san and played in Shigure’s study. That worked well once. The second time they tried it, when they returned to Honda-san’s house, they were surprised to a police car out front.
“I hope nothing is wrong,’ Shigure said.
Honda-san’s mouth tightened. “I hope something is,” he muttered.
Shigure walked him to the door, and Honda-san opened it. His daughter was standing in the hall arguing with a policeman. They both turned toward the door as it opened.
“Father! Where have you been!”
“You see, ma’ma? This is why we can’t take missing persons reports for three days,” said the policeman. “I told you he hadn’t been kidnapped.”
“Missing! Kidnapped! How you shame me!” The old man’s voice raised to a volume Shigure didn’t know that it could. “To call the police just because I left my own home for a few short hours!” Shigure and the policeman excused themselves, but the father and daughter did not notice. Honda-san’s voice followed them outside. “MY OWN HOME! I WILL GO OUT AND PLAY GO ANYTIME I WANT TO! AND YOU WILL NOT DARE DO THIS AGAIN!”
There was a pause, and then even louder, as Shigure climbed into the estate car, “I DID SO LEAVE A NOTE! IT’S ON THE GO BOARD! BUT I WON’T NEXT TIME, AND YOU ARE GOING TO QUIT THIS COMING HOME AT MIDDAY STUFF—I DON’T NEED YOU TO FIX MY LUNCH!’ Shigure wasn’t sure what door the old man slammed, but it shook the whole house, and he smiled at the thought that the whole neighborhood knew what was going on in the Honda house.
This little incident left them able to play in relative peace for a short time, although it seemed to make the old man more feeble and fretful. Shigure didn’t see Honda-san’s obnoxious daughter for a while after that, but he soon found that “piranha Jr” was starting to pop up in his field of vision when he started home. The first time he managed to escape, but the second time he couldn’t shake her. Thinking swiftly, he went into a teashop near Aya’s and then darted into Aya’s shop while she was trying to figure out which store he had gone into.
“Guri! How nice to see you! You naughty boy, you’ve stayed away far too…why Guri! What ever is the matter?” Aya drew him into the back room, and while tea was being brewed the whole story tumbled out.
“I have really enjoyed getting to know Tohru’s Grandfather,” Shigure sighed. “I hate the thought of giving up our Go games, but it would be better than letting him find out about our curse. Her cousin is quite persistent, and keeps trying to take my arm or find a why to snuggle up next to me.”
“That doesn’t sound like you at all, Guri. It sounds to me like that girl needs to be taught a lesson on how to treat others. Wasn’t she the one that was so unkind to our darling Tohru?”
“And do you think Tohru would want me to go out of my way to be unkind?”
Aya flounced up tossing his long hair over his shoulder. “You’re just too good, Guri. You’re right, I suppose.” The store bell clamored for attention just then. “I’ll be back. Just sit there and enjoy your tea.”
Regally, Aya strode into the shop area. “Good evening, “ he began theatrically, then stopped. “Oh. You’re Honda-san’s granddaughter, aren’t you? The one that lives with him?”
“Oh, wow, how did you know?” The young woman staring at Aya wasn’t so bad looking, he thought. She must have been really pushy on top of how she treated Tohru; otherwise Guri couldn’t have helped but to flirt a little. “ Is it Shigure-san? Is he here?” Her eyes darted around the room like a hawk’s, looking for prey.
“Shigure-kun told me yes, but no, he is not here. I’m supposed to see him later tonight at the estate. May I give him a message?” Aya saw how her eyes light up when he said estate, and narrowed, calculating when he offered to take a message.
“Huh, yeah, tell him to call me. Please.” This last was added as an afterthought.
\
“Of course. And now, unless I can interest you in my beautiful fabrics, it is time for the shop to close for today.” Without any further ado, Aya ushered her out of the shop, locking the door, and drawing the blinds in one swift motion.
He drew the drapes behind him as he went back to Shigure. “You’re right, Guri. She is a piranha.”
Shigure jumped to his feet, nearly tripping on his kimono. “What? She’s here? How…”
Aya flapped his hands at him and grinned. “Relax! I got rid of her.” His eyes grew troubled. “But I do think we need to talk about this. I’m going to call Hari.”
A few days later, Shigure decided that Hari’s advice had been the best, even though he hated the thought of giving up the regular Go games. The real truth was that Honda-san was having a hard time of it, and this would make it easier on the old man. As Hari pointed out a short break would get everyone off their back. To make it clear, he was going when the rest of the family would be home. He had several gifts for the old man, including a beautiful new kimono, as the old man had openly admired one of his in particular. It was as close as he could find, and he hoped the Grandfather liked it.
Tohru’s aunt opened the door and stuttered in surprise. “I don’t know if you remember me,” Shigure said smoothly, although he knew quite well she did. “My name is Sohma. I would like to speak with your father for a while.”
He followed her into the next room and the old man looked up. “Why, Shigure-kun! I did not expect you.”
Shigure bowed. “Good evening, Grandfather. I’m sorry to disturb you so late.”
“Not at all, not at all.” He glared at his daughter in the doorway. “Go away. Am I to have no privacy in my own home?” As the door shut behind her, he asked, “Is everything all right? Is there a problem with Tohru?”
Shigure smiled, “Relax, my friend. Nothing is wrong with Tohru. She’s her normal wonderful self.” He sat down next to the old man. “I came about a different matter,” and in a swift low voice told the old man what had been happening, and his decision to stop coming for Go.
“I don’t have much in life to look forward to,” said the old man sadly. “It’s too bad this had to be taken away.”
Shigure heard the sadness in his voice, but his sharp ears also heard three people crunched outside the door, trying to listen, and his heart burned. “Don’t worry, old man. It’s like this, see,” he said in imitation of an old American movie that the old man had been watching when Shigure visited last week, “we’re just going to lay low, see? And when the heat’s off, see, we’re going to blow this joint.”
Honda-san laughed through the near tears. Shigure straightened up and said louder, “I have fondest hopes that our girl will be a Sohma very soon.” The grandfather started, and Shigure held a finger to his lips. “In light of that, you may want to consider wearing this to the wedding.” He brought forth the box containing the kimono and the grandfather lifted the top from the box.
“No, Shigure-kun, this is beautiful, but it is far too fine, and expensive.”
“No, it is not.” Looking straight in the old man’s eyes, Shigure continued. “In light of the precious gift you have shared with me and my family, it is not too fine.”
Outside the door, the ruckus threatened to escalate into the current room, but Shigure no longer cared. Let them think what they want for the moment; let their false hopes get dashed. It was not his fault.
Shigure pulled out a fine bottle of rice wine and another package. “Let this warm up your tea while we are apart, and this keep you company until we can play again.” As the old man opened the beautifully bound volume on advanced “Go” techniques, he added, “Although I hate to see you get any harder to beat.”
The eyes that always reminded Shigure of Tohru’s twinkled, and the hand that trembled slightly was warm on his shoulder. “You are a good man, Shigure. A good man. Anyone would be proud to welcome you in his extended family,” the old man said simply.
At that point the door burst open and the three outside fell forward. “Father! What just happened?” came one strident voice.
Then, scrambling, the younger woman picked herself up off the floor, “Oh, Shigure! You mean you want to get married?”
Shigure took the opportunity to hid behind the old man. “I beg your pardon,” he said in an injured voice. “I don’t recall saying a thing about wanting to get married!”
“But you said our girl?!” There was a definite whine in there.
“Father! What is all of this?”
“And Grandfather said extended family!” This had to be a full pout.
“Father! I need an answer! Hush girl, there’s no need for hysterics!”
“I heard him say wedding, too!” interjected the son of the family.
“Everyone be quiet!” The old man huffed a little. Shigure took hold of his shoulder, concerned, but the old man shook it off. “Shigure. I apologize again for the behavior of my family. It seems that I am not able to deal with your family without my family causing problems.”
“How can you say that? That’s not fair!” This girl is really older than Tohru? Shigure marveled.
“I said quiet! This gentleman is Sohma Shigure, Tohru’s other guardian. It was she that we were speaking of, and no, we were not speaking of her marrying Shigure; just the possibility that a match might arise between her and one of the younger Sohmas." The old man's voice trembled a little. "Tohru is the only Honda that has not shamed me in front of this family.”
Shigure’s heart contracted at the pain in his friend’s voice. He laid one hand on the old man’s shoulder. “And that one Honda along with you have done more good for my family than any of this could harm. Do not worry, my friend. I will give you a call when my business is done and I can visit again. I fear it will be several months. And do not save that kimono for a wedding that may not come. If it does, you and I will go shopping together. Enjoy it now.” He bowed and excused himself.
The air was crisp and the night was clear. Shigure watched the stars twinkle as he slowly walked home, thinking. There had been a time he would have enjoyed that—in fact would have made it much worse all in the name of a practical joke. He would have missed the pain in Honda-san heart, and wouldn’t have thought to ease it. “I was as spoiled as that girl is,” he thought. “Without a thought for anyone else. I’ve often been as thoughtless with Yuki and Kyo. I must work harder at seeing people the way Tohru does, even if I never get a good as she is. But, then again, after all, one doesn’t have to be all serious.” And he hummed the rest of the way home.
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