Fruits Ripe

Episode 3a

(Lily wears contacts whenever the hair isn't covering her face, so to everyone else their gold)

Early morning in Japan, the sky was still dark and it was quiet outside, with only the sound of the wind and the occasional rustle of leaves. In Shigure's house only 2 people were awake so early, Shigure and Lily. Lily had to leave for a shoot in India and Shigure was calling them a ride, since he couldn't drive but still wanted to drop her off. The flight was 11 hrs long, so she had to start early at 3am to make her 4:30am flight to arrive by 11:30 pm, which was good since her shoot was tomorrow.

She was all packed up already having done it during the day and said her good byes to Tohru, Yuki, Hana, Uo, and Kyo. Instead of sleeping, Lily decided to make snacks for her trip and the others lunch for when they woke up. While Lily was in the kitchen making her stuff, Shigure was changing out of his yukata and into some pants. She set the lunches in the fridge and left a note on the outside and on the dining table. As she was finishing up putting her snacks in her lunch boxes, she felt arms wrap around her waist from behind.

"I'm all done. This goes in my carry on and I'm all packed," Lily told him, figuring it was Shigure letting her know he was done. "Do you need a hug?" She asked softly but didn't turn to face him yet until he answered.

"I think I might get addicted to your hugs," he answered her in the same tone.

Hearing his answer, she turned around and wrapped her arms around his shoulders. She knew by watching how his personality was by now. He was the type to do anything in order to get what he wants, but he wouldn't ask for anything he needed. She could tell that the Soma boys, at least from those she met, weren't given affection and obviously didn't have the support otherwise. Their hug was interrupted by a *Beep Beep*.

"Our rides here," Shigure sighed and let go of her before grabbing her suitcase while she grabbed her carryon and quickly put the stuff she made inside. "Got everything?"

Lily nodded and followed him to the door where they put on their shoes and she left a sticky note on the inside of the entrance/ exit sliding doors before they set off down the stairs to the car. During the ride there, they were in a comfortable silence, but it was obvious Shigure had something on his mind. Lily noticed but didn't want to push him, so she waited until he got his thoughts together.

"I think you should meet Hatori, he's the Soma family doctor and one of my best friends and cousins," Shigure told her while staring out of his window.

"Is he like you?" Lily watched his side profile and saw him smile when she said this.

"Nope," He finally turned to face her and smirked, "he's the boring responsible one."

"Well being a doctor tends to do that. What about the other one?" Lily asked him eyes lighting up with humor and curiosity.

"Oh you caught that, huh? Ayame is our missing half. He's another Soma and the last piece of our puzzle. He's.... flamboyant for lack of a better word," he chuckled bit as he was saying this.

"so, he's like you, but worse," He caught some mischief in her eyes when she said this causing him to laugh. " You should smile and laugh more Shigure."

Her sudden seriousness caught him off guard, but he didn't let it show much before responding with, "I do smile and laugh."

"Genuinely smile and laugh, I know you have your own agenda and I know when I'm being used but I can tell after whatever it is you found out about me, you changed your mind about my role," Lily made direct eye contact with him and he couldn't hide his shock seeing her eyes, they were so clear and showed certainty.

"Mm... you're not wrong," he nodded slowly, " I want to start with Hatori, but I think you need to meet the others who aren't mentioned in that old zodiac folklore- Zara, Eziekel, Angelo, and Lucifer."

"I can't wait to meet them then," She nodded in agreement and let the conversation fade off into another comfortable silence.

They got to the airport in time and Lily hugged Shigure before going inside herself, she knew the procedures and insisted she didn't need any extra help. Shigure relented and got back in the cab to head home after making sure she at least was inside the airport. When Shigure got back the others were just starting to wake up. Kyo usually woke up first to do light training, then Tohru who would cook breakfast, and then Yuki who definitely wasn't a morning person. They were surprised to see Shigure walk in the house so early, but remembered Lily was leaving so they didn't ask. As they were leaving they saw the sticky note she left them saying she made them lunch and to have a good day warming their hearts a bit. Meanwhile, Shigure sat in his office and paused debated to himself before smirking and making a call.

A husky male voice answered the phone, "What do you want Gure it's late here?"

Shigure laughed before he responded, "I wasn't aware you moved again, sorry."

"Now that didn't sound very sincere Gure," a deep male voice answered this time.

"Are you all together this time?" He asked them stalling knowing it was working on their nerves.

"Yes Nii- Chan, " a melodic female voice answered. A soft male voice called out in agreement in the background.

" Perfect," Shigure smirked before getting to the point wanting to call and bother Hatori next. "The guardian has been found."

There was a sudden silence from the other end of the phone before the first voice spoke in alarm, "Where are they?!"

"Does Akito know?!" the second voice followed.

"Are you sure? It's not a joke, right?!" the third voice asked with a wavering tone.

"Who are they?" The last voice asked before they stopped hearing Shigure laugh.

"They're legit, It's not a joke, Akito doesn't know- you're the first ones outside of me to know, and they just so happen to be the only Lily Honda," He told them calmly and slow enough for them to hear the humor in his words.

"What's the catch?" The soft male voice asked seriously.

"None. See you soon." Shigure said before hanging up. "Time to bother Hatori."

"... Do you see the time?" A male voice answered the phone.

"Yes, I in fact have a clock in front of me." Shigure told him beyond amused.

"Then you better have a good reason for calling me this early." He demanded not in the mood.

"I found our Guardian," He got straight to the point knowing he would hang up.

"... Who?" He spoke after a pause most likely surprised.

"Miss Lily Honda," Shigure decided to answer his questions as he was satisfied with his reaction.

"The Mark? Confirmation?" Hatori asked in a no nonsense voice.

" Her back birthmark and she's a very nice hugger- very soft and well endowed--" Shigure teased him a bit

"Alright enough you pervert" a disgusted voice answered him back. "Anything else?"

" I don't plan to tell Akito, if that's what you mean. Ah," Shigure suddenly remembered your pills you took every morning and night. "She's sick. I don't know what she has, but she takes medication every day and night- multiple."

"Understood, I'll come over now--"

"She's not here." Shigure cut him off matter of a factly. "She's a model, on a flight to India will be back in 2 or 3 days I think."

"Keep me posted." Is all Hatori said before he hung up the phone.

Shigure sat back in his seat with a smirk still plastered on his face, " I should've hid her a bit longer."

This is on Lily's End. Next Chapter is the episode