Kuro Kishi : Akuma no Joō - Dark Knight: Dark Queen (A Fruits Basket x Kuroshitsuji Crossover)

Chapter Nine: Making Arrangements

Chapter Nine: Making Arrangements

...

Shigure let out a sigh as he leaned against the wall in the hallway. This evening had completely turned on its head. He wasn't sure what he thought about any of it anymore. Too much had happened since Tohru had come home from school, bringing with her two guests who were quickly turning into overnight guests.

Sebastian came out of Kyo's room, gently closing the door behind him. "He's still asleep," he informed. "I have made him as comfortable as can be, considering the situation, and would like to take the opportunity to thank you for your kind attentions towards him."

Shigure nodded. "Why don't we go downstairs and talk about this a little more," he suggested. Tohru was downstairs again, working on cleaning up the dinner dishes. Now that the excitement had gone down, they'd all pretty much found their appetites had disappeared, at least temporarily on Shigure's part. He was almost always hungry, after all. Especially if Tohru's cooking was involved.

Sebastian let the writer lead the way back to the kitchen where Tohru was finishing up the dishes. The arrangement of the room was definitely not something he was quite accustomed to, containing a great deal less than what he usually had at his disposal. He could now well understand why the girl had been so impressed with the kitchen back at the Manor.

"Tohru," Shigure waved, trying to catch her attention. "I think we all need to sit down and talk."

Tohru turned from drying a dish. "How is he?"

Sebastian let a hint of a smile lift the corner of his lips. "He's resting comfortably."

Tohru smiled back. "That's a relief." She turned to Shigure. "What do we need to talk about?" She put the dried dish down on a stack of other clean dishes.

Shigure nervously fingered the hem of his sleeves. "Well, Tohru, there's a few matters we need to clear up. For one-"

"The matter of my master's housing," Sebastian cut in. "Yes, I can see how that would present a problem. We did not intend to intrude as we have."

Tohru's smile turned into one of concern. "But you can't be thinking of kicking them out into the streets! Shigure, please! Can't they stay here? They won't get in the way! Promise! It'll only be a for a little while!"

Shigure looked over at Tohru's pleading face. He wasn't sure he understood why she was being so insistent about the matter. It could just be her kind heart, though he rather thought there was more going on than he knew about. His expression wavered.

Sebastian took a step forward. "If it is a problem of compensation, that can easily be taken care of," he informed. "We are more than willing to pay for our lodgings through whatever means you feel necessary, be it through service or monetary means."

Shigure wavered some more. Tohru's pleading eyes were melting him on one side. The idea of getting more money from the situation was melting him on the other. They didn't need someone else doing chores, since it had been agreed upon that Tohru would take care of those for her room and board and he wouldn't dream of taking that away from her. "Fine," he gave him. "We'll work out the details later."

Tohru almost ran unto him to hug him but stopped herself. Instead, she gave an excited little jump. "Oh thank you, Shigure! You won't regret it!"

Sebastian bowed slightly. "I thank you on behalf of my master and myself."

Shigure smiled a bit uncomfortably at the attention. "Let's move on to the other items of business," he said hurriedly. "I'm sure I don't need to remind you that one of our household is missing."