Chapter One: Afterlife

Like walking into a dream, so unlike what you've seen
so unsure but it seems, 'cause we've been waiting for you
Fallen into this place, just giving you a small taste
of your afterlife here so stay, you'll be back here soon anyway

"Yuki!"

The supposed prince sighed, lifting his head from his hands. He'd been sitting with his head in them since that afternoon, when he'd learned of her return. Shigure poked his head into his room.

"She's going to need someone to pick her up from the Main House." He said cheerfully, but withered at Yuki's icy gaze.

"Why should I: Hatori can drive her home, and you know I won't go in there."

I see a distant light, but girl this can't be right
Such a surreal place to see so how did this come to be
Arrived too early

"I just have a feeling that she'd rather have you. And besides, Akito won't be mad at YOU for coming: he likes you!"

"Thank you for reminding me, baka inu." Yuki muttered, but he stood up from his bed anyways. He grabbed his shoes from his bedside, walked downstairs, where Tohru stood, nervously picking at the hem of her skirt. She had his brown coat in her arms, and also a pair of black gloves.

"I-it's a bit c-cold out" she stammered, and he took them with a fake smile.

"Arigato, Honda-san."

She blushed, but he didn't hear her reply as he streaked past all of them and out the door.

And when I think of all the places I just don't belong
I've come to grips with life and realize this is going too far

He ignored the familiar tightening in his chest as his bronchitis set in, but something in his gut told him to hurry.

I'm sorry, Zumi…this is entirely my fault…

Tears leaked out of his eyes, but he brushed the away as he neared the main house. It would take him another five minutes to sneak inside, maybe another five more to get to Akito's quarters…damn it!

If only she hadn't tried to undo this stupid curse, then she wouldn't have activated it!

I don't belong here, we gotta move on dear; escape from this afterlife

He flung himself over the top of the wall, his worry causing his normally masked self to come out: the one that showed emotions, that dealt with his problems instead of hiding.

She better be all right….or so help me god, I'll MURDER Akito!

"Yuki?"

He stopped for a moment at the familiar voice.

"H-Haru…" he panted, and the cow raised both eyebrows in confusion.

"What's going on? Is this about Kezu-"

"Not now, Haru: I'll talk to you later!"

And he was off again, feet pounding dirt as he ran across the grounds. He slowed only a few feet away from Akito's inner chambers, ignoring the gapes of the maids. He walked forward, knocking on Akito's door.

'Cause this time I'm right to move on and on, far away from here

He straightened out his wrinkled shirt, waiting for Akito to call him in. but when no one answered, he pushed the doors open, only to be met by an awful sight.

A place of hope and no pain, perfect skies with no rain
Can leave this place but refrain, 'cause we've been waiting for you
Fallen into this place, just giving you a small taste
of your afterlife here so stay, you'll be back here soon anyway

"No…Kezumi…" he whispered, staring at the naked girl, lying in the middle of the floor, surrounded by puddle of dark wetness…

Blood…

"Kezumi…" he sobbed again, kneeling beside her and gently lifting her broken body off the floor. He checked for a pulse, his heart hammering. Thankfully, there was one, but it was faint and slow. He took off his jacket and wrapped it around her frail body, tears falling down his cheeks. He noticed the deep cuts all over her body, and his stomach curdled.

He whipped her…but why…? Why did he do any of this…?

This peace on earth's not right (with my back against the wall)
No pain or sign of time (I'm much too young to fall)
So out of place don't wanna stay, I feel wrong and that's my sign
I've made up my mind

"Quick, someone call Hatori!" he yelled, hoping that someone was close enough to hear. He clutched the bleeding teen to his chest, praying for help. He knew that he couldn't do it by himself, especially after running all that way. In fact, it was taking all his power to stay awake at the moment, but he wanted to make sure she was safe. He called out a few more times before he was rewarded by the sound of hurried footsteps approaching, and the doctor scuttled into the room, black bag in hand. He stopped for a second, eyes widening, but then he knelt down beside them. He lifted the girl from Yuki's arms, and then stood back up. He turned his gaze to Yuki.

"Are you going to be okay?"

Give me your hand but realize I just wanna say goodbye
Please understand I have to leave and carry on my own life

Yuki didn't answer, but instead just answered

"I'm going to be staying with one of my friends for a few nights" he lied "so I-I'll see you later."

Before Hatori could stop him, he ran out the door and into the gathering darkness.

Maybe if I leave, this'll all go away…maybe I can just…disappear…

I don't belong here, I gotta move on dear escape from this afterlife
'Cause this time I'm right to move on and on, far away from here
Got nothing against you and surely I'll miss you
This place full of peace and light, and I'd hope you might
take me back inside when the time is right

Hatori watched the retreating form sadly, but he couldn't dawdle. He stared sadly at the girl in his arms before walking quickly back to his car.

She'll be safer at Shigure's…

Loved ones back home all crying 'cause they're already missing me
I pray by the grace of God that there's somebody listening
Give me a chance to be that person I wanna be
(I am unbroken; I'm choking on this ecstasy)
Oh Lord I'll try so hard but you gotta let go of me
(Unbreak me, unchain me, I need another chance to live)

Yuki ran across the road, his eyes stinging, the unfamiliar sting of tears. He wondered if Hatori had brought her back to Shigure's house yet. He wondered if anyone missed him.

Probably not….

Kira: Hello! This is my first rated M oc story. Please enjoy! Review!