Fruits Ripe

Episode 2e

The next day

When the girls got up the next day, they prepared to clean the house. They started upstairs with the bathroom and bedrooms. Until they reached the living room, they saved the kitchen for last remembering how atrocious it was. Yuki had joined them as they stood in the entrance of the kitchen. All three of them sweat dropped, but the 2 girls were determined.

"Don't worry about us Yuki, we got this," Lily told him when she noticed him cringe at the mess.

"Well I'll be out for a bit, but I'll stay if you need help." Yuki responded although a bit surprised that Lily initiated conversation with him.

Both girls waved him off and shut the door behind him when he left. They looked at each other, nodded, then started getting to work.

After about 2 hours both girls finished cleaning the kitchen, taking out all the trash, went grocery shopping, and began making dinner.

Lily let Tohru cook and they decided every other day they'd switch to even it out. Tohru loved Lily's cooking though because of her great memory and overall interest in becoming a chef, she knew a lot of recipes for cuisines and desserts. Lily lowkey loved showing off for Tohru, Uotani, and Hanajima- now they'd add the 3 guys. She left the kitchen to set the dining table leaving Tohru to finish the meal. A few minutes later Yuki walked into the kitchen with a confused, but impressed facial expression looking around.

"This is amazing. I can't believe you managed to clean up such a disgusting kitchen." He noted Lily was no longer in the kitchen, but didn't comment knowing she couldn't be far.

Tohru smiled feeling accomplished, "Well, we gave it our best."

As Yuki was looking around, he did a double take at the counter top, "I didn't even know that Shigure owned a rice cooker."

"Yeah, I had to excavate it." Tohru looked like a proud mom as lily came in letting her know that the table was set while also lightly bowing towards Yuki acknowledging his presence. Yuki took his seat at the table followed by Lily who brought the dishes that were already plated to the table, then Tohru who brought out the bowls of rice and the rest of the food.

"How does it taste? I hope all the flavors are coming through," Tohru asked letting Yuki and Lily take a bite first before herself.

Yuki savored the bite before responding, "Delicious. I haven't had a meal like this in a while." Lily nodded in agreement, they couldn't cook because they were living in a tent so this was great.

Tohru beamed at them, "Oh, wonderful!"

"Where is Shigure? He and that stupid cat have been gone for quite a long time." Yuki asked while focusing on his food.

Lily shrugged at his question, but nodded agreeing with his statement.

Tohru didn't know either, but remembered talking to Yuki earlier, "And you went out for a little bit earlier, too, didn't you?"

"Yeah. To my secret base in the backyard." Yuki nodded to her question.

Lily looked a bit confused, but also intrigued. She looked around the backyard not seeing anything concluding it had to be farther as Tohru talked.

"What? A secret base? Is it like some private fortress?" Tohru's mind started hopping through multiple thoughts, but excitement was her prominent feature.

Yuki looked a bit surprised when he noticed both girls expressions, "Eh, it's probably not as interesting as you imagine. But I can show it to you sometime if you'd like. The both of you," He seemed sheepish because of Tohru's excitement not wanting to disappoint her, but smiled at their interest.

Tohru gasped even more excited ," Wait, seriously? That's so exciting. I saw one once when I was a kid, but no girls were allowed inside-"

Kyo slammed the door open as he came in, "Shut up!" he unknowingly cut Tohru off and frightened Lily who was the closest to the door.

Shigure came in behind him chasing him a bit, "Will you listen to me for one second, Kyo?"

"I'm so pissed. Is this what makes you happy? Manipulating innocent people like me?" He spoke as him and Shigure walked around the table a couple of times much to the amusement of Lily. She had to admit Shigure was hot especially in a suit, all the guys in their family were lookers from what she could tell, must be their genes.

Shigure sped up a bit still chasing him, "Slow down! Sure, I'm enjoying this thoroughly... but it--"

Tohru saw a window and tried to stop them from fighting by speaking, "Welcome home. Would you two like something to eat, maybe?

Kyo without giving a thought or a moment's hesitation shouted, "Hell no!"

Shigure finally relented and let him escape with just a parting thought, "Don't take your anger out on her. And no shoes inside." Lily thought it ironic noticing him jumping around trying to take off his shoes.

Yuki noticed the same thing as he deadpanned, "says the man who did laps around the room in his."

Shigure promptly ignored Yuki's comment knowing he was right, "How nice. Is that food for us?" He sat down at the head of the table and loosened his tie, he noticed Lily watching him and smirked slightly, "what's wrong? None for me?" He teased.

She knew he was teasing and blushed a bit, but didn't back down, "you just look really hot in a suit. Very professional business man vibe or Sensei vibe either works." After she said her piece, she picked her chopsticks back up and started eating again. Shigure blushed a bit caught off guard before smirking again.

" 'Scuse me. Why's he upset?" Tohru was blushing slightly at Lily's comment, but found herself worried about Kyo who left the room quickly without eating.

Shigure didn't mind the subject change of subject, "It's his nature. Also, I might've tricked him into taking a school transfer exam."

Tohru caught what he was saying and asked, "A transfer?"

Shigure smiled non-committedly as he responded, "Yep, it's official and everything. Tomorrow, our Kyo will be walking the same school hallways as the three of you. Thanks for the foo--" he went to pick up his chopsticks to eat before feeling Yuki's glare on him.

"You're done. Put that down and get out," He told him there was a literal blizzard you could feel coming from Yuki as he stood up ready to kill the dog he calls his cousin.

"I knew you'd be mad." Shigure didn't show any surprise to his statement, just casually placing his chopsticks down and resting his cheek on his hand before continuing, " Here's the thing: This is good for him. He should be going to the boys' school near his place, but he hasn't shown up to class in over four months now. Apparently, he's been training in the mountains."

[Let's take a minute and admire Shigure in a suit with his hair slicked back]

Tohru seemed confused at the notion and asked him, "Why training?" Lily nodded and began clearing the empty dishes and her bowl.

Shigure sighed "All he wants is to beat Yuki in a real fight. They've been rivals ever since they were kids.

Yuki stood up and walked away from the table and out of the living room, "He's an i***t. Thanks for the food."

Tohru answered him softly but surely, "Of course."

Lily finished clearing up the table and sat next to Shigure waiting for him to finish. He noticed that she was waiting for him and sped up his eating a bit. Tohru finished eating and collected Shigure's bowl as he finished eating then went to wash the rest of the dishes. He motioned for Lily to follow him as he went in his office and slid the door shut.

"To what do I owe the pleasure Angel?" He asked as they took a seat by his desk.

"Well first, I won't be in school tomorrow I have my other job most of the day starting in the morning." She waited for him to nod motioning for her to go on, " second I've noticed you're often cooped up in your office, you should get out more it's not healthy. And lastly, I've been feeling a pull towards you guys since I seen you transform into your counterparts. Do you happen to know why? It's just you seem knowledgeable."

He seemed surprised by her concern, but it warmed his heart. He noticed how she seems more the type to observe others and keep to herself. He smiled softly at her a real genuine smile before he told her, " I'll make sure to keep an eye on my health little Angel and about the pull, I have an idea. Would you mind coming back down after you've changed into pajamas- to my room or if you feel more comfortable here."

"I can meet you in your room, um I guess I should warn you my pjs are a bit on the revealing side," she told him blushing as she stood up to leave.

"Don't worry dear you'll be taking it off anyway," Shigure told her a mischievous look in his eyes that created a deeper blush on her face before she went to take her shower and change.