Profile Meme
[Character Name] Shigure Sohma
[Canon] Furuba (manga)
[Point Taken from Canon] Chapter 108. After Shigure tells Tohru about the jyuunishi/12shi (the 12 cursed by the zodiac) and the curse.
[Age] 28
[Gender] Male
[Sexual Orientation] Doggy Style Akito ^_^b
[Eye Color] Gray
[Hair Color] Black
[Height] 178 cm
[Weight] 68.5 kg
[Bloodtype] AB
[Zodiac Sign] Scorpio
[Clothing] Traditional yukata/kimono robes
[Background]
As a child, Shigure was very close to his cousins, Ayame and Hatori. He was born into the prestigious Sohma family as one of those that would live with the zodiac curse, and the form he took was the dog. While, he grew up in a privileged household, backed by the money of his family name, Shigure was, for the most part, a very apathetic boy. Scarcely swayed by anything or anyone. However, one of his earliest memories was when the new head of the family was born. He was still a boy, and due to the family curse, he and his cousins cried at her conception. Shigure claimed that from the beginning, he felt an overwhelming amount of love for her. She was named Akito, and it wasn't long after that they found out she would be raised as a boy.
When they were younger, Shigure was much kinder to Akito. He remembers an incident several years prior to the current story where Akito, as a child, asks Shigure if he likes her. At that time, he wanted to know if she had asked the other 12shi that. She tells him she is the one asking the questions and asks him again. He smiles and goes out into the garden to pick a flower. Shigure brings it back to Akito and says, “I care about you. More than I care about anyone. And that is the honest... and unshakable truth."
Sometime after Shigure graduates, he establishes himself as a novelist, using the alias, Kiritani Noa. It is not clear exactly when the rift between him and Akito occurs, but I presume it to be related to Kureno's curse lifting. At a point after his bond has been broken, Akito and Kureno sleep together. It isn't said whether or not he was her first, but Shigure is angry enough when he finds out to use revenge as a means to hurt her. Knowing that Akito despises her mother and that, over the years, she has become her worst enemy, Shigure 'supposedly' sleeps with her. I say supposedly because there are hints here and there that this may not have happened. Regardless of whether it did or did not, Shigure never denies Akito's accusations when she confronts him about it.
Shortly after she finds out, she tells him to leave the Sohma estate. If he put up a fight about it, she probably would have let him stay. But Shigure was never the type to grovel, and certainly had too much pride to do that for Akito. He moves into a house not too far from the Sohma estate, and continues his work as a novelist there. He still visits Sohma House from time to time, but Akito exiled him from living with the others inside the gates. Eventually, he gains the housemates of two younger jyuunishi, Yuki (the rat) and Kyo (the cat). And it isn't long after their arrival that Tohru appears in their life.
Shigure dates one other woman that we know of. Her name is Mayu Shiroki and she was best friends with Kana, the woman Hatori loved and dated before an unfortunate incident with Akito. During the time Kana and Hatori dated, Shigure, Ayame, Hatori and the two women hung out several times. Shigure picked up on the fact that Mayu was in love with Hatori fairly quickly. It was obvious to him that her love would go unrequited because her best friend was dating him. One day, he tells her that he is bored, so they should start dating. He is being half-hearted about it and she asks him why. He tells her it is because she is lonely. Knowing this is true, she agrees to go out with him. During that time, he is indifferent towards her and she never really gets to know him. Mayu claims that he is an unreachable person. The two shared little, if any, intimate moments together, not even holding hands or so much as getting close to one another. After the incident with Kana, Hatori and Akito, which resulted in Hatori and Kana breaking up, Mayu breaks up with Shigure, who seems to not care, either way.
Several years later, after Kana is married and Hatori has had time to get over her, Shigure attempts to play matchmaker with Mayu and Hatori. He chastises her by saying she is the only one still living in the past and tries to encourage her to finally say something about her feelings. It has been helpful to her that she hasn't had to see Hatori for some time. But Shigure rectifies that situation fast. After telling her that he would be back to pick up a book he had ordered from her shop, she is very surprised when the person who actually comes to retrieve the book is Hatori. The relationship between Mayu and Shigure is playful. He teases her, as he does most people, and she expresses her disapproval and severe dislike for him over and over. He even jokes with her that maybe they should get back together, but she declines rather quickly, saying that she has already relieved him of his boredom before. He says it was because he doesn't hate stupid women that he asked her out, and that in the end, he does kind of like her. Though, this cannot be taken to truly mean romantically, he does enjoy her company from time to time.
Another woman who he has an interesting relationship with is his editor, Mii. Or, it would seem, babysitter is a more appropriate role. Often times, she has to come to his house begging and pleading with him for the next installment of his book, or the completed copy of a story. Shigure utilizes this time by playing endless pranks on her and driving her into such an anxious state of panic that she often cries. She complains to her boss about not wanting to be his editor, but she is told that he is her responsibility. On one occasion while the editor is whining, her boss reminds her that Mii thought Shigure was handsome. Mii yells back that the devil always looks cool at first.
During the summer before graduation, several of the younger jyuunishi take Tohru to their private Summer House. After they leave, Shigure visits Akito, and while in her room, he says that he will also be making a trip to the summer house. Akito says that it makes her sick and she should teach everyone a lesson for spending time with that ugly girl instead of her. Playing instigator, he plants the thought in her mind that if she really wants to teach them a lesson, she should go to the summer home to pay them a visit
When she arrives, she does so with her secretary, Kureno, which both annoys Shigure and intrigues him. He suspects that she brought him because she is afraid to leave him at the estate where her mother, Ren, has the opportunity to seduce him. Eventually, Shigure asks Akito why she brought Kureno along to the summer house. She says he needs to rest every once and awhile. Shigure asks if he is under too much pressure. Looking very cross with him, she says she is the one who is under pressure. Seeing she is unhappy, he inquires as to what happened to annoy her and she says lots of things… like Shigure is annoying. He laughs and says she’s not very nice. When he asks if he is nice to her, she says not enough and that he used to be much nicer. Akito accuses him of being affected by Tohru as well. Kureno interrupts them and says someone at the main house is causing a ruckus. Shigure asks if it is Ren-san and Akito wants to know if he is worried, possibly about Ren. He says he was making a wild guess. Akito tells Kureno that they are going. The two men exchange a glance and Shigure looks at him coldly.
The horse of the jyuunishi, Rin, appears sometime later at Shigure's house. She is a beautiful girl, like many of the cursed Sohmas, and one of the younger generation teenagers. She begs him for something that isn't quite clear at first. Shigure inquires as to whether she is stupid or if she is just trying to act like she is. She says that it is her deepest desire and wish to find out this information. We eventually find out that she keeps coming to his house to find out if he knows how to break the curse. He continues to ask her cryptic questions like ‘what makes you think I know?’ When she mentions that he is Akito’s favorite, he laughs it off and indicates that she’s making a funny joke. He says if it was true and he did know how to break the curse, he wonders if he would tell her anything that might cause Akito trouble. He asks if she has any collateral and Rin offers to give herself to him. She says he can use her however he pleases for the rest of her life.
Shigure lets her get close enough to him while stroking her hair, but it is only in an effort to get her hopes up, and a moment later, he says she’s desperate for Haru’s sake and pulls away from her, adding that it’s too bad that he doesn’t know how to break the curse. Rin accuses him of lying, which he denies. He tells her that she shouldn't put too much faith in guys like him and that he isn’t especially trusted by Akito or very important. One of his most quoted lines is: "I have no strength. Little ability. I am good for nothing. And I am the worst type of guy." He tells her to try elsewhere for answers. When she asks him who else, he says maybe God, himself. Rin asks him if he cares about staying cursed. He says that those who care should do whatever they will, like herself, and that he will still reap the benefits. In other words, he will just sit back and let things happen, but share in the reward. She looks back at him, perhaps a little shocked, and he gives her another ambiguous look, saying he told her already that he was the lowest. Rin thinks she’s still being evaded and that he is hiding something. And she wonders if people like him fear anything.
Days later, Rin throws up and collapses in Shigure's living room and wakes up in Tohru’s room. She doesn’t want to go to the hospital and tries to escape through the window. Shigure asks her if she thinks it is time to start taking care of her own physical wellbeing. That way she doesn’t have to involve others. It’s pretty essential if she wishes to have nothing to do with other people. When Tohru begins speculating about why she was there, Shgiure jokingly tells her that they are dating and Hatori scolds him. When he is alone with the doctor (Hatori), Shigure inquires as to whether Akito will be all right (since he left her to come there). Hatori asks him if Rin was there to see him and he confirms it, saying for some reason she is desperate and she shows up there from time to time because she thinks he knows how to break the curse. He tells him she is trying to break it herself, to which Hatori remarks that the situation is ridiculous. Shigure agrees, but then asks him if it is so ridiculous after all. He looks up at him and says, ‘can you not hear it’? Hatori inquires as to what he is talking about and they are interrupted by Kyo. Hatori remembers their talk later and he realizes that Shigure means ‘the sound of something breaking’. This is, perhaps, the first time that Shigure has alluded to the fact that the curse may be weakening.
After Tohru's grandfather throws his back out and cannot make it to her career counseling interview at school, Shigure says he’ll go as her guardian in his place. (He is excited about surprising/annoying Mayu, who is ironically their teacher). On the day of the meeting, all of the female students think Shigure is good looking. When they sit down with Mayu, he is his usual frivolous self, even going so far as to ask Tohru to become his wife during the interview. There is some verbal sparring between him and Mayu, mainly about why the other is single. He tells Tohru to go on ahead of him because he wants to talk to her teacher. After Tohru is gone, he jokes with Mayu, saying he thinks he’s falling for her teacher act. She recognizes that he is wearing Hatori’s suit. He says it must be stubborn love's power that allowed her to figure that out, and tells her that she should be nice to him because they might be relatives someday. Mayu advises him to handle Tohru with care because she is the type that can take on just about anything. He says he’s already been told that by one family member, but doesn't tell her it is Hatori. He explains to Mayu that given his personality, it’s a bit much to expect any more from him. Mayu says that he probably isn’t even nice to the people he loves and Shigure smiles. When he gets home, still wearing the suit, the others ask him why he didn't return it to Hatori. He says that the doctor told him he didn't want it back and to burn it.
During the New Years event, Akito gets angry about something Yuki says to her and cuts his forehead with a broken vase. A few days later, Hatori and Shigure discuss Akito’s condition since the incident, and Hatori says Akito hasn’t gotten out of bed and that the illness is completely psychological, but that this time it is worse than usual. He also says it was probably caused by Yuki’s resistance. Shigure apathetically says that Hatori should make Yuki take care of Akito then. Hatori asks Shigure if he is going to visit Akito, and Shigure says he did and that he ate the face of the door, that Akito doesn’t like his attitude. Shigure recalls Akito’s words: Asking him why he didn’t immediately come to God’s side when Yuki started to upset her. She asked him why he doesn’t place God first. Shigure tells Hatori, ‘Anyway, it's hypocritical, and she chose Kureno.’ Hatori says Akito didn’t choose, but God is entitled to pick favorites among the 12shi. Shigure muses out loud about no one else feeling it, suggesting that something is unusual about Kureno. When Hatori doesn't answer, he tells him that he is avoiding the topic and asks if he is afraid or sad because he can hate the bond, but not let go of his attachment to it. Shigure comments that this isn't fair. Hatori mumbles that he doesn't want to hear someone like Shigure telling him he is not fair. Shigure agrees, saying he is worthless and of low caliber, the worst type of man. Hatori points out that the worst thing about him is that he realizes his faults, but still doesn't regret them. And, of course, Shigure doesn't disagree.
Kureno calls Shigure’s house after seeing the DVD of the play with Uo on it. Tohru had Momiji (the rabbit of the 12shi) give it to him in hopes that he will want to meet with her friend, Uo, again. Shigure picks up the phone and when he realizes who it is, he comments that it is rare, or rather, the first time he has called. When Kureno asks for Tohru, Shigure wants to know why. Kureno remarks that he thinks he might have something he would like to say to Shigure. And Shigure says ‘finally'. The novelist is thinking about asking him one question that he has always kept to himself. He wants to know if Kureno has already been released from the curse. When he confirms that he has, Shigure asks him if he is pitying Akito because he doesn’t have the curse anymore. He tells Kureno that he should have left for Akito’s sake. Back then and now.
When Tohru gets home, Shigure asks her to do him a favor and go buy envelopes. We later learn that it is because Kureno wants to meet with her to tell her about Akito's gender and the reason he cannot leave her side to see Uo again.
At a family event, Shigure is seen talking to his parents as he waits for Mii to show up so that they can go out to get drinks together. When he sees Mii, he tells his parents goodbye and that his partner is there. They tell him to go and say hi to Akito. He says that would take too long and grabs Mii’s hand to drag her out. She notes that if they are his friends, they can go with them. He laughs, saying she must be joking and where is the fun in drinking with parents. She gets all hyper-excited and freaks out while yelling ‘your parents’? He teases her a little, and then he sees Akito. Pointing 'him' out to Mii, he says he looks like a white ghost. Mii mentions that he looks young and beautiful, and then feels bad for calling a man beautiful. Shigure turns away and asks her where they should go for a drink. She begs him not to take her to anymore weird places. Akito sees them from across the room. He gives her a snooty look, and you can see Akito looking at him while his parents say that they told him to go say hi and that they can go get him if Akito wants. She suddenly remembers the time when they were younger and says there is no need before calling Kureno over instead.
Later, Kureno calls Shigure, and he says that the novelist doesn’t seem very surprised about his curse lifting. Shigure says the only thing different about it to him is that it makes him feel better. He notes that she wants to keep him by her side for this reason, so that the others don’t find out, and caustically points out that this must be why she gets depressed. Kureno says he understands how he feels, how he hates him. Shigure interrupts him by saying, 'yes, I hate you'. He also sarcastically comments that it is so great that Kureno can act compassionate about the situation. Kureno tells him that he hopes that Shigure won’t leave her and that he’ll stop being cold to her, and proceeds to say that she doesn’t keep Kureno by her side because she likes him. She hopes that Shigure is the person to be by her side. He tells Kureno not to be mistaken, that he loves Akito, back then and even now, that he loves her too much, to the point of wanting to spoil her, to the point of wanting to crush her.
Shigure goes to Akito's room at the main house and waits for her. When she returns, he welcomes her back and asks if she had fun with everyone. When she ignores him, he says wearing a suit makes her look more like a boy than ever. She asks him what his purpose is for coming there, and he responds by telling her that he is atoning for not greeting her earlier. She asks who the woman was, and he explains that she was a colleague. Akito snidely inquires as to whether or not he has slept with her yet. He laughs and says that it would be kind of difficult. She responds with 'I thought you would sleep with any woman.' He tells her she is talking nonsense and she mentions that he went to bed with 'that' woman. When he plays dumb, she gets angry and yells ‘Ren’. She says he actually dared to sleep with that sort of woman. He sighs and tells her that was in the past, and that he had already taken his punishment when she told him to leave the house. Akito recalls that he didn’t protest and that he had already intended to move out and leave her. She says that's why he and Ren did that, because he likes Ren better than her.
Shigure then repeats the words he said when she was a child, “I care about you. More than I care about anyone. And that is the honest... and unshakable truth” She thought he might have forgotten that day and he tells her that he never said he forgot. She asks if that is why he has been so restless, why he is always testing her. His response is that he isn’t, that he went to bed with Ren because she slept with Kureno. She is shocked and asks if he is trying to shift the blame onto her. Akito is seen yelling at him again, saying she can treat the 12shi however she wants. He tells her that if she doesn’t understand, then they should stop talking about it because they will just keep repeating the same things, and it’s just another thing that will worsen her mood.
He tells her that he will be going, but she grabs him and kisses him, and when they break the kiss, he tells her that for someone who was denied her womanhood, she sure does resort to using it quickly. There is again the flashback of when they were kids and him putting her hand on his heart, saying right there, forever, always thinking of her and wanting to see her. They are seen in bed together. He gets up, staring down at her and pulling the cover up to keep her warm as she sleeps. He thinks to himself that she didn’t notice he is still the same as that day. Shigure touches her hand and then leaves.
He visits Rin at Kazuma’s house after she recovers from Akito locking her away in the cat room. Shigure tells her that he has heard a lot of things, but hasn’t found a way to break the curse yet. He also asks if she has learned how useless it is to be reckless. She counters with telling him that she could have found the method. Ren promised she would tell her the secret in exchange for a favor. Shigure explains to Rin that it was a lie, that Ren doesn’t know anything and that she was being used. He says that the only thing she managed to do was get caught up in the quarrel between Aktio and Ren. When she accuses him of lying, he says he isn’t and that he is very close to Ren.
Shigure goes on to note that he didn’t come to tease her about gaining nothing from her efforts, but that he came with a piece of good news. He tells her that the curse can be broken, and that even though she can’t see the solution, it is slowly disintegrating. He says that the day will come sooner or later, and their generation will be invited to the feast. Rin tells him that he shouldn’t say such irresponsible things without proof. Suddenly, Tohru appears and asks them how long 'sooner or later' is? She tells them that decades and years cannot happen. They are surprised to see that she heard what they were talking about. Rin argues with her, saying that she doesn’t care when it happens, just as long as it does because this is better than forever. Tohru yells back that it has to happen before spring 'because if it doesn’t… Kyo…' and she trails off and runs away. Rin asks Shigure what she meant.
He catches up to her and sees that she is a bit out of it. Grabbing her hand, Shigure tells her that she will be heading down to the main house if she continues in the direction she is going. He asks if she is lost and then offers to show her the way home. As they walk, he makes a comment about it not being only Rin who wants to break the curse, but Tohru as well. Tohru asks him if he knew that one day it would be broken and he says he couldn't know something like that. But he does have a feeling that it will end with them. He goes on to say that this is the first time all of the 12 zodiac members have been alive at the same time. Usually one is not born. Naturally, all of the servants were excited and thought it was wonderful, but Shigure has always thought differently because he believes that this is the last banquet and that is why they have all been gathered. He tells her that he believes the blood ties are weakening and the evidence can be seen in Kureno’s curse breaking. He didn’t force it to be broken, and yet it so easily happened. Also, some of the transformation forms of the zodiac animals have changed over the years: like Hatori. The form of the dragon morphed into that of a seahorse over time.
Shigure asks if she talked to Kureno, and she says yes, that she knows Akito is a female. He notes that this has always been a secret, which is why he didn’t tell her. Shigure continues on, saying that he later told Kureno that the end is near, subtle changes have occurred, chances have gathered. He mentions that Kyo needs to make a chance for himself or he will be locked up. He wonders how he will be treated in the near future. Shigure explains that the rest of the 12shi don’t do anything or say anything, that they are conniving and only pretend to think of his welfare. She asks why, and he smirks and says that it is the cat’s duty. He depicts the real image of the zodiac animals, calling them monsters and ugly things. He asks her if she thinks they are thankful or happy to be in this state. Just living in the world is painful for them. The existence of the cat is a relief to the other zodiac members. They have no reason to worry because he is the ugliest monster of all and the most inferior. Discriminating against him, ostracizing him, locking him away was a natural fact to them. They felt a peace of mind thinking that they were not suffering the most. He tells her she can ask the others if in their hearts they look down on the cat. They will be speechless. The cat is around for the sake of the other zodiac members, and he isn’t meant to be a friend to the other animals.
Shigure continues to talk, but she interrupts him by yelling his name and pushing against him with her hands. He asks if she is angry. She is thinking about how she had never known how truly dark the curse was. He tells her that this will all one day end. He brings up what she tried to say to him and Rin before, and asks her if she wants to help Kyo. This causes her to have a panic attack as she remembers making the promise that her mother would always be number one in her heart. Kyo appears and sees the two of them, particularly the state Tohru is in. He tells Shigure that he is annoying. Shigure responds by telling him that he didn’t bully her or say anything. With a grin, he explains that he doesn’t need to give him that look, that Tohru and Rin had a quarrel, and he was only asking her what happened. Tohru is a bit speechless, and Kyo asks what happened for himself. Shigure answers for her that it seems to be trivial, so he didn’t ask much. He says the paper bag Kyo is holding looks like a gift for Rin and he can go give it to her. He takes the bag and tells Tohru that this is all he can say for now, and to not push herself too hard. To hang in there. When he gets back to the main house, he says, "Phew! After lying through my teeth... I ended up with this thing. Maybe I CAN just say it's a present."
It would seem that in the end, there are things that he told her just so that he could get her to talk about her feelings for Kyo. The whole reason he went to look for her was because she started sputtering about him before running off. While it isn't clear whether the jyuunishi actually feel that way about the cat, I think he wanted to rile up her emotions so that he could find out how concerned she is about Kyo and how far she might go for him. Although he claims he doesn't care about the curse being broken, he knows that it will lead to what he ultimately wants. Akito.
[Personality]
At the start of the manga, Shigure seems to be the regular old jokester type of guy. He teases Kyo , Yuki and Tohru, and even alludes to writing ‘romance’ novels that have explicit content in them. He becomes the pillar for the two younger 12shi because he allows them, with Akito’s permission, to stay in his house. He regularly jokes about going on dates with Tohru and he plays pranks constantly on his editor, particulary when he isn’t finished a chapter, or the book he owes her. Although he likes to tease the three high schoolers of possible budding romances, it initially seems like all of his intentions toward them and his family are good. But, the truth is that the word ‘good’ is relative.
Shigure later admits to using Tohru for some ultimate purpose, which we find out is breaking the curse. However, he does this by allowing her to be placed into potentially dangerous situations that are damaging to her both physically and mentally. I’m not sure who he wanted Tohru to become attached to in the beginning of the story (Kyo or Yuki), but I think that he believed both would render similar effects in causing Akito to become emotionally unstable, being that she hated Kyo almost as much as she loved Yuki. The emotions transcended into something equally possessive. Although she felt overbearingly attached to all of the 12shi, the one closest to God (Yuki) is most precious and the one furthest (Kyo) is most hated. It was, also, for these reasons that Yuki and Kyo would find it more comfortable to live with Shigure.
The only reason he accepted Yuki into his home, initially, was because Hatsuharu or Haru (one of the other 12shi) asked him to save Yuki. Haru asked that he be taken out of there and saved. Shigure teases him by saying that he would if Haru calls him Sensei, and Haru continues to call him that to this day. In truth, he wouldn't have cared either way what happened to the others. He knew Akito had locked Yuki away, and yet he never thought to do anything to persuade her to change the situation. On several occasions, Shigure admits that he is the worst type of person.
He first says this to Rin (another 12shi) after she asks if he knows how to break the curse, which I mentioned in the Background already. When she doesn't get the answer she is looking for, he tells her that he is the lowest type of person and not dependable. Whether or not he did this for a purpose is not made clear, but I think he allowed her to struggle through this hurdle by herself for so long because he was looking for dramatic results. Eventually, Akito would figure out what she was up to and knowing that the jyuunishi were going against her wishes, despite the bond, would push her further and further into a corner. Her response might be violent, but Shigure wanted to continuously plant the idea in her head that Akito needed to let go of the notions of a bond between herself and the twelve others.
He confesses that he is a bad person again while talking to Hatori, who scolds him for being cruel to Akito. Shigure admits that he isn't a nice person and that his lack of empathy for certain things is kind of sad. He says that the love of parents was never something he particularly wanted and that he didn't really care that he was one of the cursed jyuunishi. He notes that if this way of thinking is warped, then he is as well. Affirming that he isn't a nice person, Hatori is quick to tell him that he gave up before even trying. And Shigure tells him that if Akito is looking for someone compassionate like Hatori or innocent like Kureno, it is absurd to think that he could be that type of person. He discloses that he has no interest in being her father.
Shigure is an instigator. I have already mentioned the incident with him telling Akito she should go to the summer house to punish the others vacationing there. After she arrives, Hatori tells him that he needs to stop being such a trouble maker by doing twisted things. Shigure says that things can't get anymore distorted than they already are; they might as well complicate things to get the results they want. While Shigure does play instigator and meddler, he cares about his best friends, Ayame and Hatori. After Hatori lost his first love, he later arranges for another woman (Mayu) who loves his friend to meet with him. He drops subtle hints to Hatori about them getting together, and although Hatori seems to be annoyed with him, he doesn't altogether reject the idea. Shigure also plays matchmaker at home. He tends to mention romance to the three teenagers whenever possible, but he definitely shares singular moments with all of them, getting them to express how they feel, whether it is about someone they care about or themselves. However, we know that the interpersonal relationships of those residing within his house are important for an ultimate cause. I also think he is just bored and enjoys toying with people’s psyche.
Shigure’s main concern is not the breaking of the curse, per say. It is rather that he wants Akito to turn away from the curse and her bond with them, and cease to use it as a crutch so that she can finally see herself as a woman, not a God; and see him as a man, not her toy. He believes that she will achieve this if it is lifted. He hopes that by having the curse disintegrate, she will grow up and understand that she doesn’t need to depend on others to fill the void or loneliness. It’s more important to look at herself, the woman she is, and the person that she could be if she wasn’t spending all of her time obsessing about having the 12shi by her side. He recalls telling her that she is the person he will admire more than anyone else when they were younger. She constantly complains that he has grown cold towards her. In reality, he still feels the same way. He loves her and wants to be with her, but he is also a selfish and spiteful man. Sleeping with the person she hates most just to get back at her shows not only that he is childish, but that he cannot allow her to treat him like she does the other jyuunishi. Like something to be played with.
He made a decision long ago to love only Akito, and I think this is best demonstrated in his relationship with Mayu because he never emotionally attaches himself to her. He admits to being bored when he asks her out. He notes that she is lonely and she concedes, even though she has feelings for Hatori. Mayu says that Shigure is an indescribable guy. Like ripples that cannot be embraced or touched. There is a moment when she sees Hatori and Kana walking together, holding onto each other intimately. She reaches out her hand to touch Shigure. With a tight-lipped smile, he asks her what she wants and proceeds to turn another page in his book. She tells him it is nothing and pulls her hand back. It is also said on numerous occasions that Shigure is a handsome man. For all of the inappropriate comments he makes about women, in general, Akito and Ren (if he slept with her) are probably the only people he has been with. And even if he didn't want to be faithful to her, it would be extremely difficult to sleep with another woman, given his curse. Also, it is important to mention that the jyuunishi have gotten into the habit of shying away from the touch of others throughout the duration of their lives because instinct tells them that it will lead to a transformation.
[Specialties/Abilities]
Shigure doesn’t have any special abilities, and the thing that is abnormal about him is defined as a curse. The entire Sohma family is under a curse that turns those born into the family into the zodiac animals whenever he or she is hugged by a member of the opposite sex. Only one Sohma can be possessed by an animal at a time. And if all twelve are born in the same lifetime, then it is safe for the family to have children without the risk of them being put under the curse. Shigure’s animal is the dog, a shiba inu, to be exact. If his chest area makes contact with the chest area of an uncursed member of the opposite sex, he will turn into this form for a differing period of time. When he transforms, the clothes he is wearing fall off of him and when he changes back into a human, he is naked.
Another important factor that relates to the curse is that each of the jyuunishi are connected to the human representation of God. Several hundred years ago, God and the 12shi made a promise that they would be together forever. That regardless of how many times they are reborn, they will be by his side and never leave. Even now, they are bound by that promise. Even though they have no memory of it, their blood does. And although bonds seem like something special, when it becomes a burden to the people involved, they no longer wish to have it (which is why they refer to it as a curse). The God is born the same way the rest of the other twelve are, but the God or head of the family is kept within the same line. The offspring of the current God becomes the new God once they have died.
Aside from the curse, Shigure is incredibly cunning and intelligent. He is a novelist, and it seems that he is a rather successful one in that he writes various sorts of genres. Despite his achievements, he is a lazy fellow, and spends more time getting others to do things for him, rather than doing them himself.
[Affection]
If you haven't figured it out already, Shigure is cursed by the Chinese Zodiac, and takes the form of a dog when someone (not cursed) of the opposite sex hugs him. He can also transform when his body or mind undergoes extreme amounts of stress. If your character is prone to hugging or there are any hot females that just can't keep their hands off of him, please warn me if they are going to interact. I don't mind him transforming, but I would rather be prepared for it first.
[RunningFighting] Hah. Shigure doesn't fight. He thinks.
[Canon] Furuba (manga)
[Point Taken from Canon] Chapter 108. After Shigure tells Tohru about the jyuunishi/12shi (the 12 cursed by the zodiac) and the curse.
[Age] 28
[Gender] Male
[Sexual Orientation] Doggy Style Akito ^_^b
[Eye Color] Gray
[Hair Color] Black
[Height] 178 cm
[Weight] 68.5 kg
[Bloodtype] AB
[Zodiac Sign] Scorpio
[Clothing] Traditional yukata/kimono robes
[Background]
As a child, Shigure was very close to his cousins, Ayame and Hatori. He was born into the prestigious Sohma family as one of those that would live with the zodiac curse, and the form he took was the dog. While, he grew up in a privileged household, backed by the money of his family name, Shigure was, for the most part, a very apathetic boy. Scarcely swayed by anything or anyone. However, one of his earliest memories was when the new head of the family was born. He was still a boy, and due to the family curse, he and his cousins cried at her conception. Shigure claimed that from the beginning, he felt an overwhelming amount of love for her. She was named Akito, and it wasn't long after that they found out she would be raised as a boy.
When they were younger, Shigure was much kinder to Akito. He remembers an incident several years prior to the current story where Akito, as a child, asks Shigure if he likes her. At that time, he wanted to know if she had asked the other 12shi that. She tells him she is the one asking the questions and asks him again. He smiles and goes out into the garden to pick a flower. Shigure brings it back to Akito and says, “I care about you. More than I care about anyone. And that is the honest... and unshakable truth."
Sometime after Shigure graduates, he establishes himself as a novelist, using the alias, Kiritani Noa. It is not clear exactly when the rift between him and Akito occurs, but I presume it to be related to Kureno's curse lifting. At a point after his bond has been broken, Akito and Kureno sleep together. It isn't said whether or not he was her first, but Shigure is angry enough when he finds out to use revenge as a means to hurt her. Knowing that Akito despises her mother and that, over the years, she has become her worst enemy, Shigure 'supposedly' sleeps with her. I say supposedly because there are hints here and there that this may not have happened. Regardless of whether it did or did not, Shigure never denies Akito's accusations when she confronts him about it.
Shortly after she finds out, she tells him to leave the Sohma estate. If he put up a fight about it, she probably would have let him stay. But Shigure was never the type to grovel, and certainly had too much pride to do that for Akito. He moves into a house not too far from the Sohma estate, and continues his work as a novelist there. He still visits Sohma House from time to time, but Akito exiled him from living with the others inside the gates. Eventually, he gains the housemates of two younger jyuunishi, Yuki (the rat) and Kyo (the cat). And it isn't long after their arrival that Tohru appears in their life.
Shigure dates one other woman that we know of. Her name is Mayu Shiroki and she was best friends with Kana, the woman Hatori loved and dated before an unfortunate incident with Akito. During the time Kana and Hatori dated, Shigure, Ayame, Hatori and the two women hung out several times. Shigure picked up on the fact that Mayu was in love with Hatori fairly quickly. It was obvious to him that her love would go unrequited because her best friend was dating him. One day, he tells her that he is bored, so they should start dating. He is being half-hearted about it and she asks him why. He tells her it is because she is lonely. Knowing this is true, she agrees to go out with him. During that time, he is indifferent towards her and she never really gets to know him. Mayu claims that he is an unreachable person. The two shared little, if any, intimate moments together, not even holding hands or so much as getting close to one another. After the incident with Kana, Hatori and Akito, which resulted in Hatori and Kana breaking up, Mayu breaks up with Shigure, who seems to not care, either way.
Several years later, after Kana is married and Hatori has had time to get over her, Shigure attempts to play matchmaker with Mayu and Hatori. He chastises her by saying she is the only one still living in the past and tries to encourage her to finally say something about her feelings. It has been helpful to her that she hasn't had to see Hatori for some time. But Shigure rectifies that situation fast. After telling her that he would be back to pick up a book he had ordered from her shop, she is very surprised when the person who actually comes to retrieve the book is Hatori. The relationship between Mayu and Shigure is playful. He teases her, as he does most people, and she expresses her disapproval and severe dislike for him over and over. He even jokes with her that maybe they should get back together, but she declines rather quickly, saying that she has already relieved him of his boredom before. He says it was because he doesn't hate stupid women that he asked her out, and that in the end, he does kind of like her. Though, this cannot be taken to truly mean romantically, he does enjoy her company from time to time.
Another woman who he has an interesting relationship with is his editor, Mii. Or, it would seem, babysitter is a more appropriate role. Often times, she has to come to his house begging and pleading with him for the next installment of his book, or the completed copy of a story. Shigure utilizes this time by playing endless pranks on her and driving her into such an anxious state of panic that she often cries. She complains to her boss about not wanting to be his editor, but she is told that he is her responsibility. On one occasion while the editor is whining, her boss reminds her that Mii thought Shigure was handsome. Mii yells back that the devil always looks cool at first.
During the summer before graduation, several of the younger jyuunishi take Tohru to their private Summer House. After they leave, Shigure visits Akito, and while in her room, he says that he will also be making a trip to the summer house. Akito says that it makes her sick and she should teach everyone a lesson for spending time with that ugly girl instead of her. Playing instigator, he plants the thought in her mind that if she really wants to teach them a lesson, she should go to the summer home to pay them a visit
When she arrives, she does so with her secretary, Kureno, which both annoys Shigure and intrigues him. He suspects that she brought him because she is afraid to leave him at the estate where her mother, Ren, has the opportunity to seduce him. Eventually, Shigure asks Akito why she brought Kureno along to the summer house. She says he needs to rest every once and awhile. Shigure asks if he is under too much pressure. Looking very cross with him, she says she is the one who is under pressure. Seeing she is unhappy, he inquires as to what happened to annoy her and she says lots of things… like Shigure is annoying. He laughs and says she’s not very nice. When he asks if he is nice to her, she says not enough and that he used to be much nicer. Akito accuses him of being affected by Tohru as well. Kureno interrupts them and says someone at the main house is causing a ruckus. Shigure asks if it is Ren-san and Akito wants to know if he is worried, possibly about Ren. He says he was making a wild guess. Akito tells Kureno that they are going. The two men exchange a glance and Shigure looks at him coldly.
The horse of the jyuunishi, Rin, appears sometime later at Shigure's house. She is a beautiful girl, like many of the cursed Sohmas, and one of the younger generation teenagers. She begs him for something that isn't quite clear at first. Shigure inquires as to whether she is stupid or if she is just trying to act like she is. She says that it is her deepest desire and wish to find out this information. We eventually find out that she keeps coming to his house to find out if he knows how to break the curse. He continues to ask her cryptic questions like ‘what makes you think I know?’ When she mentions that he is Akito’s favorite, he laughs it off and indicates that she’s making a funny joke. He says if it was true and he did know how to break the curse, he wonders if he would tell her anything that might cause Akito trouble. He asks if she has any collateral and Rin offers to give herself to him. She says he can use her however he pleases for the rest of her life.
Shigure lets her get close enough to him while stroking her hair, but it is only in an effort to get her hopes up, and a moment later, he says she’s desperate for Haru’s sake and pulls away from her, adding that it’s too bad that he doesn’t know how to break the curse. Rin accuses him of lying, which he denies. He tells her that she shouldn't put too much faith in guys like him and that he isn’t especially trusted by Akito or very important. One of his most quoted lines is: "I have no strength. Little ability. I am good for nothing. And I am the worst type of guy." He tells her to try elsewhere for answers. When she asks him who else, he says maybe God, himself. Rin asks him if he cares about staying cursed. He says that those who care should do whatever they will, like herself, and that he will still reap the benefits. In other words, he will just sit back and let things happen, but share in the reward. She looks back at him, perhaps a little shocked, and he gives her another ambiguous look, saying he told her already that he was the lowest. Rin thinks she’s still being evaded and that he is hiding something. And she wonders if people like him fear anything.
Days later, Rin throws up and collapses in Shigure's living room and wakes up in Tohru’s room. She doesn’t want to go to the hospital and tries to escape through the window. Shigure asks her if she thinks it is time to start taking care of her own physical wellbeing. That way she doesn’t have to involve others. It’s pretty essential if she wishes to have nothing to do with other people. When Tohru begins speculating about why she was there, Shgiure jokingly tells her that they are dating and Hatori scolds him. When he is alone with the doctor (Hatori), Shigure inquires as to whether Akito will be all right (since he left her to come there). Hatori asks him if Rin was there to see him and he confirms it, saying for some reason she is desperate and she shows up there from time to time because she thinks he knows how to break the curse. He tells him she is trying to break it herself, to which Hatori remarks that the situation is ridiculous. Shigure agrees, but then asks him if it is so ridiculous after all. He looks up at him and says, ‘can you not hear it’? Hatori inquires as to what he is talking about and they are interrupted by Kyo. Hatori remembers their talk later and he realizes that Shigure means ‘the sound of something breaking’. This is, perhaps, the first time that Shigure has alluded to the fact that the curse may be weakening.
After Tohru's grandfather throws his back out and cannot make it to her career counseling interview at school, Shigure says he’ll go as her guardian in his place. (He is excited about surprising/annoying Mayu, who is ironically their teacher). On the day of the meeting, all of the female students think Shigure is good looking. When they sit down with Mayu, he is his usual frivolous self, even going so far as to ask Tohru to become his wife during the interview. There is some verbal sparring between him and Mayu, mainly about why the other is single. He tells Tohru to go on ahead of him because he wants to talk to her teacher. After Tohru is gone, he jokes with Mayu, saying he thinks he’s falling for her teacher act. She recognizes that he is wearing Hatori’s suit. He says it must be stubborn love's power that allowed her to figure that out, and tells her that she should be nice to him because they might be relatives someday. Mayu advises him to handle Tohru with care because she is the type that can take on just about anything. He says he’s already been told that by one family member, but doesn't tell her it is Hatori. He explains to Mayu that given his personality, it’s a bit much to expect any more from him. Mayu says that he probably isn’t even nice to the people he loves and Shigure smiles. When he gets home, still wearing the suit, the others ask him why he didn't return it to Hatori. He says that the doctor told him he didn't want it back and to burn it.
During the New Years event, Akito gets angry about something Yuki says to her and cuts his forehead with a broken vase. A few days later, Hatori and Shigure discuss Akito’s condition since the incident, and Hatori says Akito hasn’t gotten out of bed and that the illness is completely psychological, but that this time it is worse than usual. He also says it was probably caused by Yuki’s resistance. Shigure apathetically says that Hatori should make Yuki take care of Akito then. Hatori asks Shigure if he is going to visit Akito, and Shigure says he did and that he ate the face of the door, that Akito doesn’t like his attitude. Shigure recalls Akito’s words: Asking him why he didn’t immediately come to God’s side when Yuki started to upset her. She asked him why he doesn’t place God first. Shigure tells Hatori, ‘Anyway, it's hypocritical, and she chose Kureno.’ Hatori says Akito didn’t choose, but God is entitled to pick favorites among the 12shi. Shigure muses out loud about no one else feeling it, suggesting that something is unusual about Kureno. When Hatori doesn't answer, he tells him that he is avoiding the topic and asks if he is afraid or sad because he can hate the bond, but not let go of his attachment to it. Shigure comments that this isn't fair. Hatori mumbles that he doesn't want to hear someone like Shigure telling him he is not fair. Shigure agrees, saying he is worthless and of low caliber, the worst type of man. Hatori points out that the worst thing about him is that he realizes his faults, but still doesn't regret them. And, of course, Shigure doesn't disagree.
Kureno calls Shigure’s house after seeing the DVD of the play with Uo on it. Tohru had Momiji (the rabbit of the 12shi) give it to him in hopes that he will want to meet with her friend, Uo, again. Shigure picks up the phone and when he realizes who it is, he comments that it is rare, or rather, the first time he has called. When Kureno asks for Tohru, Shigure wants to know why. Kureno remarks that he thinks he might have something he would like to say to Shigure. And Shigure says ‘finally'. The novelist is thinking about asking him one question that he has always kept to himself. He wants to know if Kureno has already been released from the curse. When he confirms that he has, Shigure asks him if he is pitying Akito because he doesn’t have the curse anymore. He tells Kureno that he should have left for Akito’s sake. Back then and now.
When Tohru gets home, Shigure asks her to do him a favor and go buy envelopes. We later learn that it is because Kureno wants to meet with her to tell her about Akito's gender and the reason he cannot leave her side to see Uo again.
At a family event, Shigure is seen talking to his parents as he waits for Mii to show up so that they can go out to get drinks together. When he sees Mii, he tells his parents goodbye and that his partner is there. They tell him to go and say hi to Akito. He says that would take too long and grabs Mii’s hand to drag her out. She notes that if they are his friends, they can go with them. He laughs, saying she must be joking and where is the fun in drinking with parents. She gets all hyper-excited and freaks out while yelling ‘your parents’? He teases her a little, and then he sees Akito. Pointing 'him' out to Mii, he says he looks like a white ghost. Mii mentions that he looks young and beautiful, and then feels bad for calling a man beautiful. Shigure turns away and asks her where they should go for a drink. She begs him not to take her to anymore weird places. Akito sees them from across the room. He gives her a snooty look, and you can see Akito looking at him while his parents say that they told him to go say hi and that they can go get him if Akito wants. She suddenly remembers the time when they were younger and says there is no need before calling Kureno over instead.
Later, Kureno calls Shigure, and he says that the novelist doesn’t seem very surprised about his curse lifting. Shigure says the only thing different about it to him is that it makes him feel better. He notes that she wants to keep him by her side for this reason, so that the others don’t find out, and caustically points out that this must be why she gets depressed. Kureno says he understands how he feels, how he hates him. Shigure interrupts him by saying, 'yes, I hate you'. He also sarcastically comments that it is so great that Kureno can act compassionate about the situation. Kureno tells him that he hopes that Shigure won’t leave her and that he’ll stop being cold to her, and proceeds to say that she doesn’t keep Kureno by her side because she likes him. She hopes that Shigure is the person to be by her side. He tells Kureno not to be mistaken, that he loves Akito, back then and even now, that he loves her too much, to the point of wanting to spoil her, to the point of wanting to crush her.
Shigure goes to Akito's room at the main house and waits for her. When she returns, he welcomes her back and asks if she had fun with everyone. When she ignores him, he says wearing a suit makes her look more like a boy than ever. She asks him what his purpose is for coming there, and he responds by telling her that he is atoning for not greeting her earlier. She asks who the woman was, and he explains that she was a colleague. Akito snidely inquires as to whether or not he has slept with her yet. He laughs and says that it would be kind of difficult. She responds with 'I thought you would sleep with any woman.' He tells her she is talking nonsense and she mentions that he went to bed with 'that' woman. When he plays dumb, she gets angry and yells ‘Ren’. She says he actually dared to sleep with that sort of woman. He sighs and tells her that was in the past, and that he had already taken his punishment when she told him to leave the house. Akito recalls that he didn’t protest and that he had already intended to move out and leave her. She says that's why he and Ren did that, because he likes Ren better than her.
Shigure then repeats the words he said when she was a child, “I care about you. More than I care about anyone. And that is the honest... and unshakable truth” She thought he might have forgotten that day and he tells her that he never said he forgot. She asks if that is why he has been so restless, why he is always testing her. His response is that he isn’t, that he went to bed with Ren because she slept with Kureno. She is shocked and asks if he is trying to shift the blame onto her. Akito is seen yelling at him again, saying she can treat the 12shi however she wants. He tells her that if she doesn’t understand, then they should stop talking about it because they will just keep repeating the same things, and it’s just another thing that will worsen her mood.
He tells her that he will be going, but she grabs him and kisses him, and when they break the kiss, he tells her that for someone who was denied her womanhood, she sure does resort to using it quickly. There is again the flashback of when they were kids and him putting her hand on his heart, saying right there, forever, always thinking of her and wanting to see her. They are seen in bed together. He gets up, staring down at her and pulling the cover up to keep her warm as she sleeps. He thinks to himself that she didn’t notice he is still the same as that day. Shigure touches her hand and then leaves.
He visits Rin at Kazuma’s house after she recovers from Akito locking her away in the cat room. Shigure tells her that he has heard a lot of things, but hasn’t found a way to break the curse yet. He also asks if she has learned how useless it is to be reckless. She counters with telling him that she could have found the method. Ren promised she would tell her the secret in exchange for a favor. Shigure explains to Rin that it was a lie, that Ren doesn’t know anything and that she was being used. He says that the only thing she managed to do was get caught up in the quarrel between Aktio and Ren. When she accuses him of lying, he says he isn’t and that he is very close to Ren.
Shigure goes on to note that he didn’t come to tease her about gaining nothing from her efforts, but that he came with a piece of good news. He tells her that the curse can be broken, and that even though she can’t see the solution, it is slowly disintegrating. He says that the day will come sooner or later, and their generation will be invited to the feast. Rin tells him that he shouldn’t say such irresponsible things without proof. Suddenly, Tohru appears and asks them how long 'sooner or later' is? She tells them that decades and years cannot happen. They are surprised to see that she heard what they were talking about. Rin argues with her, saying that she doesn’t care when it happens, just as long as it does because this is better than forever. Tohru yells back that it has to happen before spring 'because if it doesn’t… Kyo…' and she trails off and runs away. Rin asks Shigure what she meant.
He catches up to her and sees that she is a bit out of it. Grabbing her hand, Shigure tells her that she will be heading down to the main house if she continues in the direction she is going. He asks if she is lost and then offers to show her the way home. As they walk, he makes a comment about it not being only Rin who wants to break the curse, but Tohru as well. Tohru asks him if he knew that one day it would be broken and he says he couldn't know something like that. But he does have a feeling that it will end with them. He goes on to say that this is the first time all of the 12 zodiac members have been alive at the same time. Usually one is not born. Naturally, all of the servants were excited and thought it was wonderful, but Shigure has always thought differently because he believes that this is the last banquet and that is why they have all been gathered. He tells her that he believes the blood ties are weakening and the evidence can be seen in Kureno’s curse breaking. He didn’t force it to be broken, and yet it so easily happened. Also, some of the transformation forms of the zodiac animals have changed over the years: like Hatori. The form of the dragon morphed into that of a seahorse over time.
Shigure asks if she talked to Kureno, and she says yes, that she knows Akito is a female. He notes that this has always been a secret, which is why he didn’t tell her. Shigure continues on, saying that he later told Kureno that the end is near, subtle changes have occurred, chances have gathered. He mentions that Kyo needs to make a chance for himself or he will be locked up. He wonders how he will be treated in the near future. Shigure explains that the rest of the 12shi don’t do anything or say anything, that they are conniving and only pretend to think of his welfare. She asks why, and he smirks and says that it is the cat’s duty. He depicts the real image of the zodiac animals, calling them monsters and ugly things. He asks her if she thinks they are thankful or happy to be in this state. Just living in the world is painful for them. The existence of the cat is a relief to the other zodiac members. They have no reason to worry because he is the ugliest monster of all and the most inferior. Discriminating against him, ostracizing him, locking him away was a natural fact to them. They felt a peace of mind thinking that they were not suffering the most. He tells her she can ask the others if in their hearts they look down on the cat. They will be speechless. The cat is around for the sake of the other zodiac members, and he isn’t meant to be a friend to the other animals.
Shigure continues to talk, but she interrupts him by yelling his name and pushing against him with her hands. He asks if she is angry. She is thinking about how she had never known how truly dark the curse was. He tells her that this will all one day end. He brings up what she tried to say to him and Rin before, and asks her if she wants to help Kyo. This causes her to have a panic attack as she remembers making the promise that her mother would always be number one in her heart. Kyo appears and sees the two of them, particularly the state Tohru is in. He tells Shigure that he is annoying. Shigure responds by telling him that he didn’t bully her or say anything. With a grin, he explains that he doesn’t need to give him that look, that Tohru and Rin had a quarrel, and he was only asking her what happened. Tohru is a bit speechless, and Kyo asks what happened for himself. Shigure answers for her that it seems to be trivial, so he didn’t ask much. He says the paper bag Kyo is holding looks like a gift for Rin and he can go give it to her. He takes the bag and tells Tohru that this is all he can say for now, and to not push herself too hard. To hang in there. When he gets back to the main house, he says, "Phew! After lying through my teeth... I ended up with this thing. Maybe I CAN just say it's a present."
It would seem that in the end, there are things that he told her just so that he could get her to talk about her feelings for Kyo. The whole reason he went to look for her was because she started sputtering about him before running off. While it isn't clear whether the jyuunishi actually feel that way about the cat, I think he wanted to rile up her emotions so that he could find out how concerned she is about Kyo and how far she might go for him. Although he claims he doesn't care about the curse being broken, he knows that it will lead to what he ultimately wants. Akito.
[Personality]
At the start of the manga, Shigure seems to be the regular old jokester type of guy. He teases Kyo , Yuki and Tohru, and even alludes to writing ‘romance’ novels that have explicit content in them. He becomes the pillar for the two younger 12shi because he allows them, with Akito’s permission, to stay in his house. He regularly jokes about going on dates with Tohru and he plays pranks constantly on his editor, particulary when he isn’t finished a chapter, or the book he owes her. Although he likes to tease the three high schoolers of possible budding romances, it initially seems like all of his intentions toward them and his family are good. But, the truth is that the word ‘good’ is relative.
Shigure later admits to using Tohru for some ultimate purpose, which we find out is breaking the curse. However, he does this by allowing her to be placed into potentially dangerous situations that are damaging to her both physically and mentally. I’m not sure who he wanted Tohru to become attached to in the beginning of the story (Kyo or Yuki), but I think that he believed both would render similar effects in causing Akito to become emotionally unstable, being that she hated Kyo almost as much as she loved Yuki. The emotions transcended into something equally possessive. Although she felt overbearingly attached to all of the 12shi, the one closest to God (Yuki) is most precious and the one furthest (Kyo) is most hated. It was, also, for these reasons that Yuki and Kyo would find it more comfortable to live with Shigure.
The only reason he accepted Yuki into his home, initially, was because Hatsuharu or Haru (one of the other 12shi) asked him to save Yuki. Haru asked that he be taken out of there and saved. Shigure teases him by saying that he would if Haru calls him Sensei, and Haru continues to call him that to this day. In truth, he wouldn't have cared either way what happened to the others. He knew Akito had locked Yuki away, and yet he never thought to do anything to persuade her to change the situation. On several occasions, Shigure admits that he is the worst type of person.
He first says this to Rin (another 12shi) after she asks if he knows how to break the curse, which I mentioned in the Background already. When she doesn't get the answer she is looking for, he tells her that he is the lowest type of person and not dependable. Whether or not he did this for a purpose is not made clear, but I think he allowed her to struggle through this hurdle by herself for so long because he was looking for dramatic results. Eventually, Akito would figure out what she was up to and knowing that the jyuunishi were going against her wishes, despite the bond, would push her further and further into a corner. Her response might be violent, but Shigure wanted to continuously plant the idea in her head that Akito needed to let go of the notions of a bond between herself and the twelve others.
He confesses that he is a bad person again while talking to Hatori, who scolds him for being cruel to Akito. Shigure admits that he isn't a nice person and that his lack of empathy for certain things is kind of sad. He says that the love of parents was never something he particularly wanted and that he didn't really care that he was one of the cursed jyuunishi. He notes that if this way of thinking is warped, then he is as well. Affirming that he isn't a nice person, Hatori is quick to tell him that he gave up before even trying. And Shigure tells him that if Akito is looking for someone compassionate like Hatori or innocent like Kureno, it is absurd to think that he could be that type of person. He discloses that he has no interest in being her father.
Shigure is an instigator. I have already mentioned the incident with him telling Akito she should go to the summer house to punish the others vacationing there. After she arrives, Hatori tells him that he needs to stop being such a trouble maker by doing twisted things. Shigure says that things can't get anymore distorted than they already are; they might as well complicate things to get the results they want. While Shigure does play instigator and meddler, he cares about his best friends, Ayame and Hatori. After Hatori lost his first love, he later arranges for another woman (Mayu) who loves his friend to meet with him. He drops subtle hints to Hatori about them getting together, and although Hatori seems to be annoyed with him, he doesn't altogether reject the idea. Shigure also plays matchmaker at home. He tends to mention romance to the three teenagers whenever possible, but he definitely shares singular moments with all of them, getting them to express how they feel, whether it is about someone they care about or themselves. However, we know that the interpersonal relationships of those residing within his house are important for an ultimate cause. I also think he is just bored and enjoys toying with people’s psyche.
Shigure’s main concern is not the breaking of the curse, per say. It is rather that he wants Akito to turn away from the curse and her bond with them, and cease to use it as a crutch so that she can finally see herself as a woman, not a God; and see him as a man, not her toy. He believes that she will achieve this if it is lifted. He hopes that by having the curse disintegrate, she will grow up and understand that she doesn’t need to depend on others to fill the void or loneliness. It’s more important to look at herself, the woman she is, and the person that she could be if she wasn’t spending all of her time obsessing about having the 12shi by her side. He recalls telling her that she is the person he will admire more than anyone else when they were younger. She constantly complains that he has grown cold towards her. In reality, he still feels the same way. He loves her and wants to be with her, but he is also a selfish and spiteful man. Sleeping with the person she hates most just to get back at her shows not only that he is childish, but that he cannot allow her to treat him like she does the other jyuunishi. Like something to be played with.
He made a decision long ago to love only Akito, and I think this is best demonstrated in his relationship with Mayu because he never emotionally attaches himself to her. He admits to being bored when he asks her out. He notes that she is lonely and she concedes, even though she has feelings for Hatori. Mayu says that Shigure is an indescribable guy. Like ripples that cannot be embraced or touched. There is a moment when she sees Hatori and Kana walking together, holding onto each other intimately. She reaches out her hand to touch Shigure. With a tight-lipped smile, he asks her what she wants and proceeds to turn another page in his book. She tells him it is nothing and pulls her hand back. It is also said on numerous occasions that Shigure is a handsome man. For all of the inappropriate comments he makes about women, in general, Akito and Ren (if he slept with her) are probably the only people he has been with. And even if he didn't want to be faithful to her, it would be extremely difficult to sleep with another woman, given his curse. Also, it is important to mention that the jyuunishi have gotten into the habit of shying away from the touch of others throughout the duration of their lives because instinct tells them that it will lead to a transformation.
[Specialties/Abilities]
Shigure doesn’t have any special abilities, and the thing that is abnormal about him is defined as a curse. The entire Sohma family is under a curse that turns those born into the family into the zodiac animals whenever he or she is hugged by a member of the opposite sex. Only one Sohma can be possessed by an animal at a time. And if all twelve are born in the same lifetime, then it is safe for the family to have children without the risk of them being put under the curse. Shigure’s animal is the dog, a shiba inu, to be exact. If his chest area makes contact with the chest area of an uncursed member of the opposite sex, he will turn into this form for a differing period of time. When he transforms, the clothes he is wearing fall off of him and when he changes back into a human, he is naked.
Another important factor that relates to the curse is that each of the jyuunishi are connected to the human representation of God. Several hundred years ago, God and the 12shi made a promise that they would be together forever. That regardless of how many times they are reborn, they will be by his side and never leave. Even now, they are bound by that promise. Even though they have no memory of it, their blood does. And although bonds seem like something special, when it becomes a burden to the people involved, they no longer wish to have it (which is why they refer to it as a curse). The God is born the same way the rest of the other twelve are, but the God or head of the family is kept within the same line. The offspring of the current God becomes the new God once they have died.
Aside from the curse, Shigure is incredibly cunning and intelligent. He is a novelist, and it seems that he is a rather successful one in that he writes various sorts of genres. Despite his achievements, he is a lazy fellow, and spends more time getting others to do things for him, rather than doing them himself.
[Affection]
If you haven't figured it out already, Shigure is cursed by the Chinese Zodiac, and takes the form of a dog when someone (not cursed) of the opposite sex hugs him. He can also transform when his body or mind undergoes extreme amounts of stress. If your character is prone to hugging or there are any hot females that just can't keep their hands off of him, please warn me if they are going to interact. I don't mind him transforming, but I would rather be prepared for it first.
[RunningFighting] Hah. Shigure doesn't fight. He thinks.