✓ | WITHERED BONDS, shigure sohma [Fruits Basket]

Chapter Twenty Two

Ayame was in Kira's room as he adjusted her outfit," I was surprised when Hatori told me that'd you be attending the Banquet"

"You are not the only one, trust me," Kira said tiredly from her exhausting day spent with preparations and to even entertaining Shigure who glued to her side the entire time, which only made her disordered. She found it odd that he was not trying to be with her sister since Akito has been less irritable.

"You seem exhausted," Ayame commented fixing her hair and staring at her from the mirror she was standing in front of.

"Well, a certain annoying and clingy dog was following me around all day. I never realized how annoying he is until these last couple of days" Ayame just chuckled not commenting his true thoughts on the situation, since he was not sure it was the moment to assume anything.

It was strange-to say the least, since Shigure always hassled about Akito-but lately, he's been hardly even mentioning her name. It visibly did not go overlooked by the other two halves of the trio.

"Speaking of Shigure, where is he?"

"Back at our home, he's got to make sure Kyo and Yuki come"

"Kyo?" Ayame dared to ask and Kira looked up at the mirror to lock eyes with him

"Akito and I talked about how there wouldn't be harm. Besides, it's interesting to see how he'll react, especially with how he's opened up lately"

"I still have to see that with my own eyes," Ayame remarked but then flipped his side braid playfully," But I am more excited to see Yuki! Oh, I can't wait to show him the outfits I have made for him!"

Kira rolled her eyes at the male who was lost in his own world just talking about the new things he wanted to tell his brother. She, however, already knew that during the banquet, Yuki would most likely stray away from him the majority of the time or be stuck to her sister's side.

"Hmm, so I heard from Momiji, that Shigure approached him and Kisa-

Kira scoffed as she aggressively straightened her outfit," He is always doing something unwanted, seriously"

Ayame chuckled and chose to not further her irritation. Though it was not being afraid of her, mostly because as much as it was entertaining to see her reactions whenever Shigure was mentioned was starting to make him wonder when things changed between them.

He eventually left to get ready himself and Kira let out a breath before leaving her own quarters. She felt odd having spent the last couple of days at the Main estate.

It only dawned to her how much she's missed sharing a room with someone or even just being in a small cosy home. Whereas the estate was lonely and uncomfortable, even if she was near Akito. The wholesome feeling was different and she was only slowly realizing it.

Upon exiting the room, she halted herself, before colliding with two high-spirited youngsters that she immediately saw to be Momiji and Kisa. The pair both saw her and stopped in place, much to Kira's discomfort, however, she was taken back when they both smiled at her.

"Harii said for us to escort you" Momiji clasped one of her hands with a bright smile," Right Kisa?" He said softly turning to the younger female.

Kisa nodded and reached over grabbing Kira's other hand as she smiled," Yeah"

Kira blinked at them in complete shock, but even she couldn't deny the overwhelming warmth that they were placing within her chest.

For a couple of seconds, she stood in place, however, knowing that they were trying their best as well with still being nervous, she knew they were genuinely not forcing themselves.

"That would be kind of you," Kira said before her lips turned up into a smile," Ayame kind of gave me clothes hard to move in, so I trust you both to get me to the hall" The adolescents both nodded with determination and slowly walked with her.