Imagine meeting Shigure and finding out his secret.

Word Count: 1280

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"Tohru-chan! Wait up!" You shout, shoving past other students as you do.

She pauses and turns to look at your racing figure with her ever-present smile, "Yes, Y/n-chan?"

You've been friends with Tohru for a long time, even before Uotani and Hanajima joined the picture. You go to the same school and even work in the same building, so of course you're very close.

"What did you get on that last test?" You huff, resting your hands on your knees.

She thinks for a second, "I got 90%. What about you?"

You groan as if in pain, "I got 75%. How are you so good at everything?!"

"I'm not," she chuckles and scratches the back of her head.

"Liar, you're lying!" You say, standing up straight, having recovered from your sprint. "Anyways, where are you off to?"

"I don't have work today, so I'm going home to study and do homework. And you?"

"I don't really wanna head home just yet..." you trail off and equip your puppy-dog eyes. "Can I please hangout with you? I swear I won't distract you!"

She falters, uncertain.

You continue pouting, begging her. "Please, I can even help with your homework!"

"Fine," she caves, unable to resist you.

You already know about her living situation, having been unable to offer your own home for her to stay in due to certain circumstances.

She told you that she's been staying with the Sohma's, or at least, some of the Sohma's. To be more specific, she's been staying with Yuki, Kyo, and Shigure Sohma.

You've met the former in school a few times, but you've never met Shigure before. Tohru said he's an author of some sort.

"Y/n-chan?"

You blink back into reality, Tohru staring at you.

"Sorry, I zoned out," you apologize, although, she's used to your antics by now.

"It's okay, you were probably thinking about the Sohmas right?"

"Yeah, I'm kinda curious as to where they live. I mean, I kinda expect a mansion or a zoo based off of Kyo-san and Yuki-san's behavior."

She giggles at your comment.

You walk and talk with her, finally arriving at the surprisingly plain house.

"Hmm, not what I expected," you look over it carefully. "It's definitely nicer than mine though."

"Come on," she leads the way into the house.

You take in all the details, smiling at the peaceful home.

Well, it was peaceful, until you hear shouting.

"You stupid rat!"

"I'm not the stupid one here," Yuki replies cooly.

You watch with growing interest as Kyo chases after Yuki, running into the area where you and your friend stand.

Kyo throws a punch that Yuki easily dodges.

Tohru winces and shouts, "Stop fighting!"

You slow-clap as they stop fighting to stare at you both.

"Tohru, who's this?"

You shrug, "Just an observer. I'm Y/n L/n, I'm in the same year as you at school. Tohru's best friend... Ring a bell yet?"

"Oh, hi," Kyo greets.

"Sorry you had to see that," Yuki says.

You chuckle, "That's okay, it was entertaining."

"Come on, Y/n-chan, my room's this way," your friend takes your hand and carefully takes you down the hall.

You pass a room and catch a glimpse of a male in a kimono sitting at a desk and writing. You make brief eye contact before Tohru drags you along.

"That was Shigure-sensei, right?"

She nods, "Yeah, but he's working so we shouldn't interrupt."

"Fair point," you say as you finally get to her room. "Woah, this is pretty sweet! Beats the tent, right?"

She laughs and agrees before starting on her work. You do the same, only lasting thirty minutes before you need a break.

"Tohru-chan, I'm gonna go wander outside, the woods are so pretty this time of year," you inform her.

"Okay, just be careful!"

You get out of the house, passing a now empty room. I wonder where Shigure-sensei went?

Trees surround you on all sides, towering above the ground as their leaves create music. Spongy moss and ferns cover the earth like a blanket, cushioning your steps.

It's so much nicer here compared to my place... Tohru is so lucky.

You stop under a very large tree and rest your hand against its rough bark. Closing your eyes, you listen to the sound of the forest.

Wind rushing past leaves, birds singing and flying, pages turning and a pen gliding across paper-

Wait, a pen and paper?

You reopen your eyes and peer around the trunk to find Shigure-sensei sitting against the tree, writing thoughtfully.

Stifling a squeak, you jolt back behind the tree, praying that he won't notice your existence.

A soft chuckle ruins your hopes, "You can come out, I won't bite."

Caught, you hesitantly come to stand in front of him, "I'm sorry, Sensei. I didn't know you were here."

You bow, embarrassed. He probably thinks I was spying on him!

"It's fine, I was almost done anyways," he smiles and waves his hand in the air. "You could keep me company for a bit, if you'd like. See a brilliant author at work."

Settling on the floor in a cross-legged position, you ask, "What kind of books do you write?"

"All sorts of literary fiction," he sets his work aside. "I also write under pen names."

As you chat with him, you realize that it's getting late.

"I forgot all about the time!" You suddenly shout, standing in a rush.

He laughs, "Relax, it's not that late."

"I'm past curfew as it is," you groan, rubbing your forehead.

"You have a curfew?"

"Uh-huh. It's ridiculous, but I'm going to be in a lot of trouble now. Ack, I never finished my homework!" You hastily bow and rush off.

He follows behind you, still amused by your antics.

As you run, a sudden drop-off catches you off-guard, sending you flying through the air. You squeal and brace for impact.

A warmth encases you, taking the brunt of the landing. Eyes wide, you realize that Shigure caught you in his arms.

For a split-second, you stare into his mischievous eyes before a puff of smoke shrouds him.

"Oh my- are you okay?!" You recover quickly, freezing when you realize that the man is nowhere in sight.

Instead, you are met with the face of a black dog.

"Oh my, I do apologize," the animal speaks.

It speaks... it speaks?!?!

"It's alright, I won't hurt you."

You stare open-mouthed, "Y-you- Shigure-sensei?!"

"Yes, that's me."

"How- why- you're a dog?!"

He sits up, "Yes, I've been called that many times."

"But, you're a literal dog," you say, rubbing your eyes in disbelief.

"Yes, I've been cursed, along with other members of the Sohma family, to be possessed by the spirit of the Chinese Zodiac. I am the Year of the Dog, so I transform into a dog."

"At will?"

"No, only when my body is under great stress, or when I am in the arms of the opposite sex," he pauses. "Oh, I forgot to mention-"

Another puff of smoke.

You screech and cover your eyes as Shigure is revealed in his birthday-suit.

"When I change back, I'm completely naked."

"Holy- You could've said something sooner!" You shout, still shielding your eyes. Luckily, you didn't see anything other than his toned chest.

Clothes rustle as he covers up, "You can look now."

You slowly open your eyes, relieved and still embarrassed, "Look, I'll forget this ever happened, if you promise not to tell anyone I pretty much saw you naked."

"Deal, but you have to promise to visit again," he grins and winks.

Your cheeks flame as you duck your head out of sight, "Alright. Bye, Shigure-sensei!"

He watches you dash off into the house to get your stuff. Meanwhile, Tohru questions where you've been.

You give simple answers, avoiding the details of what actually happened. After all, you made a promise to not tell anyone what happened.