✓ | WITHERED BONDS, shigure sohma [Fruits Basket]

Chapter Seventy Five

Kira hummed gently as she dangled her feet off the deck. In her hand was a few flowers that were slowly being weaved into a crown. Though that was what it meant to be for her since this was really only her second time making it after having learned it from Ayame.

"I was wondering where you snuck off too, Kira" The young child just hummed softly, not turning to the person that was walking over to her.

She proceeded to put together the crown and eventually turned when the person who spoke sat next to her.

A young Shigure, barely a couple years older than her tilted his head to look at what she was doing before snickering, which made Kira instantly puff her cheeks and attempt to hide her work," Gure...why are you always so mean?!"

Shigure continued to laugh before leaning his head on top of her own." I just remembered you telling Aya the other day when he taught you that, that is was stupid...What changed your mind?"

Kira's eyes widened as she hurriedly looked down," I..." Shigure hummed in question leaning forward to meet her eyes," Gure said he was happy when Aya made it for him...so I wanted to..." Shigure blinked at her in surprise before chucking and placing a hand on her head, ruffling her hair and pulling him into her arms.

"Ah! Gure! I can't breathe! Stop it!" Kira thrashed in his arms, but he ignored it and leaning his head on her forehead, making her turn up slightly to meet his eyes.

"Thank you, Kira" It took a moment for her to push away her stubbornness to smile back.

After a while, Kira was now sitting between his legs as he watched her finish the crown. The pair did not speak for the most part and just enjoyed their company.

"Ah!" The pair turned to a young Kureno," Kira there you are, the maids have been looking everywhere for you" When he said that, Kira had leaned back into Shigure's arms, as she frowned shaking her head.

"Don't wanna...I don't like them"

"Kira..." Kureno mumbled while Shigure just kept smiling and holding Kira, "Big brother if she doesn't go back, they'll get really mad" He said turning to the older male.

"It's fine, I'll make them get mad at me, just pretend you didn't find us," Shigure said calmly leaning his chin on Kira's head," Also, it's not like Akito will let them yell at her," Kureno took a moment before turning his back and nodding. He soon walked away not saying anything else and did as what Shigure said.

"Why are you frowning like that?" Shigure finally said noticing her hands not moving from continuing to make the crown

"They will get really mad at you...Gure...maybe I should go back" She mumbled loud enough for him to hear

"It's fine, I don't care if they yell at me, what they think doesn't matter," Shigure said making Kira deliberately smile and continue to make the crown.

"Gure...the other day, I heard one of them talk about how I should have died...why did they say that? Was it because of that woman?" Shigure was frowning the moment the words reached his ears and he threatened to look for the servant that must have said that, however, he just ensued into wrapping his arms around Kira.

"It's just some revolting things that they enjoy saying. Listen, Kira ignore them and continue to be strong. Prove to those people that you are not their tool"

"But..." Kira shifted turning in his arms to look up at him," I am already reminded all the time that I am nothing but a pest..."

"Well think of it like this," Shigure placed a hand under her chin," Unless it's me or Akito, whatever they say means nothing, how about that?"

"Even father?"

"Hmm, well it's not as if your father ever says mean things, but just try it. You'll see that what anyone says is irrelevant and then you'll be able to feel superior" Kira quickly giggled before lifting her hand and placing the messy crown on his head.

"Okay, I should go find Akito, it's about time that she is usually done being bothered by the adults," Kira said before getting up.

"I don't know if that was how you should have worded it, Shigure" The voice came from the door next to him, slowly opening revealing Hatori.

"What? I mean those adults are nothing but callous people that don't care about how anyone else feels but themselves. What harm is it if they are given a taste of their medicine?"

"Good afternoon Tori, are you feeling better now?" Kira asked making the young male look at her surprised," I heard uncle talking to one of the maids that you were sick, so I came to sit here and keep you company!"

"Perhaps I should get sick so you can also do that for me?" Shigure joking making her turn to him pouting

"No! Don't get sick Gure!"

"He said sick, not die, Kira, just ignore this idiot when he says something stupid like that," Hatori commented before leaning his head on the door," But thank you, it was nice hearing you hum" Kira smiled before saying her goodbye's and left to find her sister.