Disclaimer: I do not own Junjou Romantica in any way, shape or form, and the only profit I make from this fanfiction is satisfaction in my own writing skills via feedback from reviewers.

A/N: Inspired by a conversation with puppyfacetwo, as well as the first two reviewers of Run, Rabbit, Run: Cerberus Revised and ErurainiaLai. Thanks to all of them, I have felt more compelled to write more on Akihiko's mysterious childhood.

Unbearable

Chapter One: New Pet

"Oi, Usagi-san! Slow down!"

Misaki sputters as I tug him along by the hand. "It's this way, come on!" I practically sprint towards the concrete pit with a very disgruntled Misaki in tow. "There, that's him, right there!" I exclaim pointing down into the concrete enclosure as Misaki fights for breath. The brunet peers over the safety railing to see a furry lump snoozing in the sun. "It's…a furball." Misaki states, clearly unamused. I roll my indigo eyes and put one hand on my hip as I put another on the boy's shoulder. "It's not any furball. It was my first furball, and it was the cause of Haruhiko's first failure in living memory." At the thought of this, I burst into a fit of near-giggles and clap my hands on my knees. Misaki stiffens. "Your first furball? From Usagi-san's…childhood?" he breathes. I straighten up as I compose myself. I wipe a tear away from my eye before putting a hand on Misaki's head. "Yes. I'll tell you the story…"

XxX

Akihiko POV

This is the last place I want to be right now I thought bitterly as my father sat down across from me, an expanse of mahogany separating the two us. I refused to meet my father's gaze, choosing instead to glare at the wooden plain.

"Akihiko, we need to talk, you and I. Father to son. I know it's been difficult adjusting to life here in Japan, but you've already been here for a year. You have the one friend, and he's the next-door neighbor. I've tried everything I can think of to satisfy your whims; I've provided you with a secluded place to do the writing you love so much, I've bought you countless journals to write in, I've tried my best to rein in Haruhiko…" Father broke off as I looked up sharply in surprise and then looked back down with an embarrassed flush crossing his face. Father knows…

It was bad enough that Haruhiko went out of his way to make me feel unwelcome within the Usami mansion, but it was worse to know that my father knew of it and had said something to my passive aggressive tormentor.

Father studied me with a frown that lit up into a dazzling grin. "I've got it!" The man picked up the receiver of the phone on his desk as I watched him in puzzled wonder. "Tanaka. I need you to take Akihiko to…where we got Alexander."

At this, I clutched the seat of his chair. "Father…am I being allowed…a pet?" I had rounded the desk and was tugging on my father's sleeve despite the fact he was still on the phone. Father smiled down at my unintentional rudeness. This was the most responsive I had been in weeks.

"Father?" I questioned again while tugging his sleeve once more. The elder Usami grinned and nodded as he put the phone down and hung up. "Yes, my little Akihiko, you are being allowed a pet. Whatever pet you want. But you owe me a hug at least, young man." I hesitantly put my arms around my father's waist. I looked up to see the man smiling sadly as he patted me on the head and then hugged me back. "Akihiko…" the man said seriously now. "Yes father?" I tilted my head as my father pulled away and put a hand on my shoulder. I was so excited I could hardly breathe. "I want to know…what kind of pet do you plan on getting?" I trembled with anticipation as Tanaka entered the room. I tugged on my father's lapel, indicating I wanted to whisper it in the man's ear. Father complied, bending down so I wouldn't have to wobble on tip-toe. As I whispered my choice in his ear, the man grinned his approval. "I'm just miffed I didn't think of it first!" father laughed as he ruffled my hair.

"Akihiko-sama, we are ready to leave when you are" Tanaka-san murmured as I threw my arms around my father once more. "Thank you father!" I exclaimed as I turned towards where Tanaka-san stood with my coat. I shrugged into it and waved to my father as I dashed towards the door. His face expressed nothing but shock as he gave a small wave back. Tanaka chuckled at Father's expression as he closed the door behind us.

-Some time later…-

"Now, Akihiko-sama, I really don't think that…" Tanaka-san began, but I gave him my best puppy-dog eyes and whatever he was going to say died on his lips. Satisfied with his begrudging acquiescence, I burst into my room as he wheeled the large wooden crate behind me.

I could hardly contain my excitement as the servants pried the crate open. I could hear my new pet shuffling around inside. I got on my hands and knees and looked into the dark box. A pair of wary eyes watched me as I scooted closer and those eyes retreated a few inches and then blinked. I smiled. "I know, it took me a while to adjust too." I lay down in front of the box and cupped my chin in my hands as I kicked my feet up behind me. The eyes blinked at me again before settling lower in the crate. I grinned as those eyes began to disappear under drooping eyelids. I was about to try petting the owner of the closing eyes, but I heard Tanaka-san call me from the hallway.

"Akihiko-sama! Master Hiroki-sama is here" Tanaka threw over his shoulder as he passed my door. I sighed as the eyes closed. I got to my feet and hurried out of the room, not bothering to close the door behind me.

I dashed past Haruhiko's room, my shoulders hunched up for the customary "English brat!" as I went past, but I heard nothing. I took a step back and peered into my brother's room. Haruhiko had his back to me. He was standing in front of the huge fish tank he was using for his biology project; inside were about half a dozen salmon. He was taking notes on a clipboard and was about to turn towards the door, but I whipped my head out of the entryway before he could spot me. I hopped up on the banister and slid down it; it always seemed cliché to me to do it, but I wanted to tell Hiroki about my new pet!

A/N: This first chapter has been doctored a bit since it's first release, so as to give credit where credit is due and to fix a few things. Until later!

-MB Skirt