It was a cycle. Every two weeks Hatori would come to get Kyou and Kyou would always fight desperately to escape. Yuki noticed this cycle but chose to ignore it in bliss. However, Yuki never realized that Kyou met with a fate far worse than his own at the hands of Akito. Never realized that Akito is the reason for his hatred, the reason for his fear… And the reason for his scars. When things begin to drastically change Yuki takes it upon himself to find out what is the reason why Kyou fights, why Kyou fears, why Kyou runs… And why He cries. However, what he finds will shock him to the core. Can Yuki help the person he hates the most? Or does he truly hate the cat? Was he brainwashed somewhere along the way? Did he loose himself in the myth of the legend like everyone else and fail to see what was truly in front of him all along? How can he help when the person in question denies all, and still desperately clings to the hatred that was bred into him with false lies?

Me no owns Fruits Basket

The Dark Room

Chapter 1

Dark Room

Darkness surrounded the lonesome teen, so deep and thick he could not see his own trembling hand he knew he held up in front of his face. The cat pulled his hand under him, clutching it to his chest from where he lay on the cool wooden floorboards, the hard surface pressing against his bare trembling body. He hated it here. In this God forsaken place. He wanted to leave… To escape! To escape the horror he knew he was going to face all too soon. To be free was what he wanted… To be free from the curse that is the cat, if he wasn't the cat Akito wouldn't have this hold on him. He wouldn't be hated. He'd be accepted… Be like everyone else.

'But this is my fate as the cat…' Kyou muttered darkly to himself.

Try as he might he knew he would never escape Akito's grasp. Akito would have his way with him one way or another. He would forever be Akito's little toy.

Kyou's muscles tensed, his whole body shaking when he heard the slow painful creak of the rooms doors opening. His heart picked up its pace and raced with fear. Fear of that man… That horrible man. He was coming… Coming to begin what would never end… Never… Never…

Kyou jumped up in a start, a scream frozen in his tight throat. Sweat clung to his body in a shining sheen that was produced from the glowing lamp that was carefully placed by his futon. He never slept with it off. He hated the dark. Kyou had too much pride to say he was scared of it, so he simply opted to say he hated it. His heart was still racing, having not yet calmed down. His nerves were still going crazy. He had yet to recover from the nightmare… The nightmare he always had before he was to face Akito… Or was it… A memory? Once a month that bastard took him from his home to torment him… It was a cycle. A vicious one. Kyou pivoted his head to look out his window that was open for the purpose of a cool breeze. It was still dark out. His clock on the floor to his right read two in the morning with its large red digital numbers.

With a heavy sigh Kyou rose from his futon and moved across the room toward the window, the thought of letting the cool night air caress his skin appealing. However, Kyou's toe caught on the lamps stretched out cord and yanked the plug from the wall, instantly consuming his sight with inky blackness. A terrified wail split the air inside Sohma house as Kyou sunk to his knees and hugged himself out of sheer instinctual fear. A fear of what couldn't be seen. He hated the dark. He hated it! Kyou's door burst open, flooding the cat in light and his scream froze in his throat, his heart racing with fear. With his body trembling and eyes wide, sweat collecting down his face Kyou slowly looked up to where he knew his tormentor stood. He could already see the sick twisted grin on that mans face. Tears collected in his eyes and blurred his vision as he stared up at the silhouette standing in the doorway.

"Baka! What do you think you're doing? Do you realize what time it is?" That calm yet angry voice penetrated through the air, stabbing Kyou in the chest. Suddenly, relief flooded the cat's senses and his body relaxed. It was Yuki. Only Yuki. He'd forgotten where he was for a moment. He stared up into the silver haired rat's face. It was a beautiful face, Kyou knew that, and he'd always hated it. That beautiful face was hard and angry as the owner's deep purple eyes glared hard, clearly pissed, which was no surprise. When it came to him Yuki was always pissed. It was hard to believe that Yuki at one point was kind to everyone-even the cat. However, that quickly changed. Now Kyou was the ONLY one to suffer under Yuki's agitation and hatred. How he hated that rat. Finally recovering himself Kyou glared and let a feral growl rumble in his throat.

"You damn rat! Get the fuck out of my room!" Kyou snarled and Yuki's glare hardened. "Are you deaf? I said get out!"

"Gladly!" Yuki snapped venomously and slammed the door shut, enveloping the cat in his feared darkness once again. Kyou breathed in deeply, trying to calm himself down, but as soon as he calmed down he found himself listening. Listening to the darkness, eyes trying desperately to see what was around him. He hated not knowing what was around him. Kyou heard something and it made him jump a little. Though it was probably just the house settling Kyou felt his paranoia grow. His mind giving way to dark creatures and most prominently, that evil man. Quickly Kyou tried to find his way back to his futon, his heart speeding up almost as soon as it had calmed down. His nerves were screaming.

'I won't let it get me! There's nothing there! There's nothing there!' Finally finding his futon Kyou quickly crawled inside and pulled the covers over his head and curled into a ball. 'There's nothing out there! Nothing! It's just me… Alone in my room…' A pathetic whimper resounded in the darkness. 'There's nothing there. I'm not afraid. Boy's aren't afraid of the dark.' Tears gathered again in the corners of his eyes as he curled into a tight ball. Ill memories flashed through his mind and again Kyou whimpered. He wished he could forget. He wished he could get away, but the cat knew-it was impossible.

(Yuki P.O.V.)

I came down, dragging myself. I really hate the morning. I would much rather sleep until noon at least. But then again, I probably wouldn't have such a hard time if I wasn't up half the night studying, and today is worse than usual since just when I was finally getting to sleep that stupid cat woke me up. I paused on top of the stairs and thought a moment on this.

'Why did he scream? In fact, Kyou looked so strange last night. Was he… Crying?' I shook my head to try and rid myself of the thought. Thinking about that pain in the ass so early in the morning definitely didn't start my day off good. Not that I have too many good days anymore. I was a lot happier when Kyou had disappeared for six months. But now he's stuck here under Akito's orders… 'I wonder… Why did he make Kyou stay? And once a month Hatori comes down to take him away. I wonder what all this means? Hm… I'm too tired to think about it. Besides, what good will it do to worry about the cat.' I froze. Worry? Am I worrying? Maybe it's because of what I saw last night. 'Best to just ignore it. It's about the usual time; Hatori should be here this morning. I'll probably have to do the usual and then I can have some peace.'

Sitting down to breakfast I started to dish myself out. We never talked too much in the morning. Shigure was busy reading the newspaper and though Tohru was smiling I could tell she was tired. We have a test today so she's probably been up almost all night. That girl is truly amazing. However, I saw her frown a little bit when she looked to the seat that has been pretty much reserved for the cat. I remember the last time Hatori came. It was exactly like this. Kyou didn't come down till late and when he did Hatori showed up. Kyou made a run for it and I had o do the usual task of rounding him up. He put up a really desperate fight. It seemed he was really determined to not go. Of course, I beat him. He's never won a match against me. Last time he was surprisingly difficult though. Tohru even started crying.

'Stupid cat. Making Ms. Honda cry.' I felt my rage swell as I watched Tohru's face become more and more worried as she kept glancing up the stairs. She knew what was going to happen this morning. I heard a door open and close and knew the cat was coming down. Then there he was, the annoyance of my existence. If only the stupid animal would drop dead. I wouldn't have to deal with him anymore. Kyou walked on by the breakfast table and started for the back door.

"Kyou? Aren't you hungry?" Shigure questioned without lifting his eyes from the paper. Kyou snorted.

"No." His voice was always so loud. It irritated me. A knock on the door followed by footsteps. I knew who it was. I listened to the footsteps growing closer and closer. I looked over and saw the expression of horror on the cat's face. I looked back and saw Hatori standing just inside the eating area.

"The door was unlocked so I let myself in." Shigure smiled and Shigure stood to greet his long time friend.

"Ahh! Hatori! It's been a while!"

"Hasn't been that long." Kyou suddenly threw the door open and dashed outside. I sighed when Hatori's gaze met mine. "Yuki, would you please?" I nodded and stood, not really needing Hatori to say anything. Once Hatori takes him away he's usually gone a few days. I look forward to this day each month. Even if I have to fight with the cat a bit it's worth it. Besides, it's not like I hate fighting him anyway. I'll never admit to it, but I enjoy fighting him. The moment my skin makes contact with his and I'm able to let loose some of my agitation to cause him even the slightest degree of pain feels good. I guess it's a stress-relieving thing. It feels good to get your anger out on the object that makes you angry.

I chased Kyou into the woods surrounding Sohma house. Hopefully I can beat on him a little bit. I'm still bitter about being woken up last night. Kyou ran at his full speed, exhausting himself while I maintained a steady sprint. I guess this shows our differences in brains too. Once Kyou gets too tired he'll turn to fight me, exhausted and out of breath, meanwhile I'll be perfectly fine. Kyou wavered and I watched him slow down. I smirked to myself. I slowed down myself and stopped just behind him and froze. The sound he was making… Was he… Crying? His shoulders were shaking slightly and whimpering sounds were coming from him.

"Y-Yuki." I gasped. Did he just sob out my name? Suddenly my anger lashed out and I marched up to him. I don't know why but I grabbed his shoulder, spun him around and slugged him in the jaw. Kyou fell down on his back in shock, tears streaming down his face.

"You look disgusting." Kyou's eyes widened and then watered more. If I didn't know any better he was about to start bawling. I felt my anger rise again and I crouched over his torso and grabbed the neck of his shirt and pulled him up till our faces were inches apart. "Stop crying! It's pathetic! It's sickening!" Another sob hitched out of his throat and I pulled my fist back and punched him again. I don't know why but it was pissing me off! Pissing me off! My rival! The one I hate! Why is he so weak?! So fucking weak!

"Please…" His voice was pleading. "Let me go. I-I don't want to go." I stared in shock. Kyou was… Pleading? "I-I promise… I'll disappear! I'll never come back! You won't have to see me ever again!" I punched him again, watching his head snap to the side with indignation.

"Coward! You pathetic coward!" I punched him again and again.

'You pathetic bastard! I didn't know you were this pathetic! What are you so afraid of?! I hate you! I hate you! Hate!' I didn't stop until I saw blood splattered on the ground and covering my fist. It was almost like the color brought me back to reality. Finally releasing Kyou I stood and took a step back. Kyou fell back onto the ground, limp. I stared down at my fist in horror. Did I just… Beat Kyou? 'This wasn't a fight at all. This was… A beating.' I don't think…. I've ever been so cut throat. Kyou was whimpering again when I moved over to him and pulled his arm over my shoulder and wrapped an arm around his waist to secure him to my side. No one will probably bother me despite the fact that I bloodied his face. Hopefully they'll just assume I had to do it to get him down. Though, I'm still a bit worried.

'What's happening? I know I hate him… That he annoys me… But I… I beat him when he was no threat at all. I don't think… I've ever seen Kyou act this way. Why did it make me so angry? Maybe I should question what Hatori does with him when I get back. This suddenly…. Doesn't feel so good.' For some reason. My insides were starting to knot up. Like maybe I shouldn't hand Kyou over to Hatori. But then, what do I do? I just beat him up for crying in front of me. I never thought that I was the sort of person to do such a thing. Why do I always get so angry around him? Why does Kyou always run? Why does he cry? How long… Has he been crying and I've not noticed? If I hate him so much, so much that I could beat him like I did and enjoy it, then why do I feel so worried? Guilty? 'I'm…. So confused.'

When I got back to Sohma house and handed Kyou over to Hatori I expected him to question me. Why was his face so beat? Why was it wet with tears? But he never said anything. He hardly even looked at me. Doesn't he care? I tried a few times to ask where he was taking Kyou but Shigure kept interrupting me, and then before I knew it he was gone. With Kyou in the back seat.

(Kyou P.O.V.)

I groaned. My face fucking hurt. I opened my eyes to darkness and froze where I lay on my back. I was here… That fucking Yuki. Even after all that he still gave me to Hatori. You bastards! I stared, feeling my fear grow. I couldn't see anything… Was he in here already? Maybe watching from the shadows? No… He won't be here yet. There's nothing.

'I'm afraid of nothing.' I always tell myself this, and always loose when I readmit to myself that I'm a bloody coward. That I'm afraid of everything. I could feel to cool floorboards pressed against my skin and knew I was naked. I couldn't stop it. I whimpered pathetically. 'I don't want it to happen again! Please… Please… Not again. I'm so scared!' My eyes heated up and tears burst from my eyes. I reached up and gripped my face, feeling my tight throat try to hold back to sobs I knew wanted to come out. I dug my nails into my skin when a sob finally escaped, followed by another and another. The more pain I felt the harder I dug my nails in. I have to do this. I have to survive.

…. Survive what? What do I want to survive? Akito?

….Or myself?

I heard the doors creak open loudly and light bathed me. I looked up and made out a blurry silhouette. I knew this silhouette. A smirk upturned sickly pale lips. My torture… My nightmares start here. Always…

'I don't want this any more. I don't! Why me? Why me? Someone help me! Please! If only I could get away…'

"How are we feeling today, Kyou?" A sudden feeling of numbness washed over me and I stared up at the ceiling. 'If they won't go away… I'll make them. I'll make everything go away.'

Finally back! Boy! I've been gone a looong time! But now I'm back! Retyped and revised! Hope ya enjoyed this remake! This chapter has literally doubled. Completely redone! I plan to rewrite and add a lot more and when I get to the point I was before I'll keep going. Please review and tell me whatcha think of my changes and corrections!