✓ | WITHERED BONDS, shigure sohma [Fruits Basket]

Chapter Eighty Eight

Hiro observed nervously as his mother showed Kira how to hold his little sister, Hinata. Kisa who was next to him kept nudging him to calm down, but it only ended up making him more nervous.

Kira had come over to let Hiro and Kisa know about the Banquet the following week, but his mother ended up dragging her into the house.

The mother was aware of her actual gender for a long time and when Satsuki finally questioned it, Kira knew it was no use hiding it since the day was nearing when her and Akito were going to reveal the secret.

Since Hiro and Kisa were still not aware, they were not really sure with the situation. However, the young female teen did not question it and just went with the flow.

Though for Hiro, he was just instinctively acting protective over his little sister, not being happy with his carefree mother handing Hinata to a man.

When he confessed that to Kisa, all she did was laugh at him.

"See, you have a hang of it, Kira-" Satsuki whispered

"I...why are they so small?" Kira asked and the mother chuckled and humoured her by just going with what she could think right off the bat.

Most of it was accurate, but then again, the mother did comment that it was a new experience, since Hiro was premature-like all Zodiacs that was born.

"They are small and fragile at first, but then before you know it, they are on their own two feet running around" Satsuki leaned on her palm sighing," I tell you, when Hiro started walking, he refused to wear diapers at one point running around butt-

"Mom!!" Hiro turned bright red stopping his mother," Please, do not...ugh" He groaned covering his face.

Satsuki laughed and for the sake of her son's dignity, she changed the subject. They both chatted for a while and Kira had not realized just how comforting it became holding the infant, who was just playing with her hair.

Hiro had eventually trusted Kira and left with Kisa to just hang out. He was still a bit awkward with Kira, but ever since he's spoken to Akito, his fear for the siblings was no longer present.

In fact, he was rather neutral and was able to even greet them normally. It was really Kisa who helped him along the way since she was friendly, to begin with.

"Do you and Shigure plan on getting married in the near future?" Satsuki asked and Kira who was looking at Hinata turned up with wide eyes.

"I...wasn't aware you knew about our relationship"

Satsuki closed one eye and waved her finger," A woman's intuition is a lot stronger than you think. Though, to begin with, you two have always been so close since you were children"

Kira smiled and felt Hinata wrap her hands around her finger," Hmm...to be honest, I have not thought about it once. I do know I want to one day, but I am just scared...since I don't really know what to do...being a wife..." She looked down at the infant," or even being a mother, I mean my own mother despised me and Akito, so...I am clueless"

"You know, no one ever knows these things, whether or not if we have someone to teach us. It's a different experience when it's your turn. I knew nothing about being either, but I just learned when I married the love of my life and as years went on, we welcomed Hiro and then Hinata" Satsuki smiled and looked to a wall that had multiple picture frames," You don't need to worry about all of that and just go each day experiencing things in your own pace. That's how we learn"

"My own pace..." Kira's lips lifted," I never thought there be a day to do my own thing"

"Better late then never, but if you ever do find yourself in a stump, you are free to come to me for some advice. My door is open to you and Akito, always, okay?"

"Thank you so much, Satsuki"