AN: As the first piece of fanfiction I ever started writing, I have a certain attachment to this series. This also happens to be the darkest and most complex of my other fanfiction in terms of plot and content, so be warned that this isn't all going to be a warm and fuzzy joyride. That being said, sit back and enjoy my little piece of the Fruits Basket fandom realm and do let me know what you think, whether you hate it or not! (^^)

Mini-glossary of Japanese words/phrases used in this chapter and roughly translated English equivalent:

ne - hey / right

maa - 'well' or placating when strung together several times like saying 'now, now, now'

baka neko - stupid cat

kuso nezumi - damn mouse

baka - idiot

eh - huh

iie - no

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CHAPTER 1: Falling of Night

Overhead, the pale moon shone beautiful and white, a large and perfect pearl, the all-seeing eye of the heavens illuminating the world below in a gentle embrace of light. The clear and cloudless sky was studded with twinkling stars that glittered like tiny jewels blessing all below and winking at any whom would gaze upon them. A cooling breeze wound through the balmy air and rustled through the summer grasses while the chirping of crickets and other beings that made themselves known during this time echoed in the night, all sounds flowing together to create a harmonious melody that was nature's gift meant to sooth any soul that might be listening. A beautiful night, it was, where lovers could meet to lay on grassy knolls as they cuddled each other and gazed up at the stars overhead and whispered hushed words of affection to each other as if the world was only for them.

It was this night that surrounded the two figures, setting their stage that was softly lit only by the natural light emitted by the brightness of the shining moon. But such was the intensity of the concentrated atmosphere between them that they were insensible to the soothing sounds of nature that swept around them, so focused were they upon the other. Slowly, the kimono clad figure padded lightly across the floor, the gentle sounds of his bare feet slapping against wood snaking throughout the room, as he made his way to the other, his clothes whispering softly with his every movement in an almost soothing and lulling manner. Upon reaching his destination, he adjusted the folds of his kimono with graceful motions as he knelt before the other who could only stare in tense silence at the beautiful devil whose gaze glinted with coldness and pleasure at the fear displayed before him.

Akito.

He was a dark god thriving on inflicted pain within this realm of his, confident and full of his power that he exuded as naturally as breathing, the fallen angel beauty of his features creating an even more stunning and seductive package wrapped in expensive silk that glimmered with vibrant colors in the shades of blood. He ruled this place, knew that well and made sure that the figure before him knew it as well.

Akito smiled and watched with dark enjoyment as his victim flinched. He fondly, almost lovingly, pondered the soft pale cheeks before him, marred with red that promised a blossoming of a darker purple the upon the morrow, which glistened dimly with every breath as the moonlight glittered upon the silver streaks left by falling tears. A lovely sight it was to him, like a dewy ribbon of liquid that moved due to his influence, his command. This, this was what he wanted. To prove his power over the object of his focused attention. To bring punishment for the one who gave him pain and caused him the slightest bit of uncertainty. To show his control over the person who went against his carefully set plans and upset them so greatly. He'd show them all that no one, absolutely no one could go against him.

Dark emotions roiled through him though his expression remained calm as his mind turned to those others who owed him so much. After everything he did for them, all the sacrifices he made to show them how much he loved them and cared for them, they tried to defy him! Oh, they believed they were so clever, he knew. They thought they could hide from him how they were being disobedient, how they were trying to find a way to shake free of him. But how very wrong they were to think that. After all, he was the head of this family and he knew everything no matter what anyone else believed.

And he would show them, set an example and show them all how very foolish they were to dream for even one moment that they could get away from him. He'd make them see the light that they were bound to him and had to fall in line with his demands.

He knew he would succeed.

And the one before him would help him do it.

Closer. He leaned closer until their cheeks brushed lightly against each other, skin delicately rasping against skin, deriving great pleasure in the terrified tensing he caused.

"Ne?" he whispered in a hushed voice, his breath ruffling hair of a color lighter than his own midnight black, a sinfully sinister shade that suited him perfectly as he words wrapped around his victim as a serpent coiled around its prey. "Do you still think you should go against the head of the Souma clan? Or should I educate you more on the error of your ways?" He let loose a husky chuckle, a pleasant and comfortable sound at odds with the content of his words. "I really think I'd enjoy that. But you probably wouldn't, ne?"

The body before him trembled as a head was shaken in quick denial.

"Then you will do what I say from now on, ne?"

He wound arms draped in slithering cloth around trembling shoulders, a light gesture, as be turned his head and brushed lips over his mark, the red on pale cheek like a stamp of his ownership. He feathered that spot with the touch of his mouth in a butterfly-light kiss as he spoke, veiled threat lying underneath his gentle tone as he whispered softly.

"You will, won't you?"

A brief nod of acceptance answered him.

"You promise, ne?"

Another nod.

"Good. Very good," Akito breathed in satisfaction, pleasure curling his lips. "That wasn't so very difficult now, was it?" He drew back a little until he could stare back into eyes wide with fear, their faces so close that their breaths mingled with every sigh. "Now we can get along fine, just fine."

His expression was dark and malicious as he gazed coldly into pale, frightened features that looked back helplessly, just the way that he liked. The slight whimper he heard, so low it would have been inaudible but for their nearness to each other, reached his ears and made him smile even wider, cruelly, as he whispered soft words.

"Isn't that so, Tohru-san?"

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A dark, oppressive air surrounded the house, silent but for the soft sounds brought about by the constant padding of footsteps that swept up and down the hallways in restless motions, never stopping, continuing on and on as the pacing figures gave physical outlet to the unease stirring within them that they were unable to keep at bay. Guilt, regret, fear, helplessness, and other dark emotions roiled through them as they vented their frustrations by constant motion, unable to sit still as they kept their vigil, each minute that passed on seeming to take forever as they waited for the one who had left to return home. And they prayed, in their hearts and minds that were filled with the agitated emotions of concern towards the person they wanted by their side, that she would come back safely and soon.

When the pacing figures passed each other again in silence as they took their restless movements, driven by the same cause, in different directions, the one that had watched these wordless proceedings take place for the past hours finally spoke up.

"You two really should calm down."

Movement paused as, with those words, the two agitated boys turned to glare hostilely at the one who had broken the tense silence filling the inner confines of the house.

"Shut up," Kyou growled, eyes narrowed and snapping.

"Shigure." Yuki glared at the writer. "How can you be so calm?"

"Maa, maa. maa." Shigure held up a hand in a placating gesture. "It's not like there's anything that can be done, ne?" He wagged a finger at them, almost playfully. "And do you think Tohru-kun would want you to worry like this?"

"Of course not," Yuki said, frustrated.

"There, you see?" Shigure smiled. "What will she say when she comes back to find you worrying like this? Really, the two of you will seem foolish for overreacting so." He gave a loose shrug. "She's only going for a little visit."

"But she didn't know what she was getting herself into when she agreed to it." Yuki's expression darkened. "I do."

"Then if you knew that so well, you should have tried harder to stop her," Kyou said snidely, his own anxiety making him speak unfairly.

"Oh?" Yuki's eyes narrowed. "I can't believe you're the one saying that to me."

"What do you mean?" Kyou growled, glaring at his rival.

"You were trying to convince Honda-san not to go, too." Yuki smiled coldly. "But, as expected from a baka neko, you weren't able to do anything to keep her from going either."

"Shut up, kuso nezumi!" Kyou pointed at Yuki angrily. "If you're so smart then you should have found a way to stop her."

"I told you before." Yuki's gaze was icy. "I despise people who place blame on others due to their own inabilities." He smirked. "Maa, I suppose that's all a baka neko can do, after all."

"Why you-!"

"Stop!" Shigure interrupted firmly just when Kyou was about to launch himself at Yuki. When the two turned their fury onto him, Shigure just shook his head and sighed. "Maa, maybe I should let you work your frustrations out physically. But I really don't want to pay for damage costs since, if you'll recall, the Honke won't cover those types of expenses anymore." He frowned at them chidingly. "Please, have a little concern for my pocketbook."

"Bastard!" Kyou snarled at Shigure. "Is money all you can think of at a time like this?"

"Maa." Shigure shrugged, unconcerned. "Of course money is important. After all, how could we survive without it? Food and clothes are necessary items, ne? I really have no desire to try abstaining from them but, if you do, then feel free to go ahead and try."

"That's not what I meant!"

"Calm down, calm down." Shigure chuckled easily in the face of the furious teenager. "I know what you meant."

"Shigure," Yuki spoke harshly. "This isn't a time to be fooling around."

"And what were you two just doing?" Shigure arched an eyebrow. "That could hardly be called productive, ne?"

"You're taking this all too easily." Yuki eyed Shigure suspiciously. "Why is that?"

"What?" Shigure's expression was amused. "I have to act like the two of you to show my concern over the possible dire straits our little flower might be in? Surely you don't think resorting to physical violence is mature?"

"Shut up!" Kyou snarled. "You're the last person who can talk about being mature like you know everything!"

"Maa, in my advanced years, I do believe I have more grounds to base a lecture on the subject than you. You really should listen to your elders more. Especially when they're so much wiser, ne?"

"Shigure," Kyou hissed, trembling in anger. "You-!"

"Maa, maa, maa," Shigure interrupted. He shook his head, appearing somewhat exasperated. "Really, you're strung too tight, snapping at a little teasing like that. No control at all." He cocked his head thoughtfully. "Hmm, but I suppose that, for you, it's no different from usual, ne?"

Kyou growled wordlessly, body tensing.

"Kyou," Yuki said sharply, halting the other boy when he might have made a leap at the author. "Don't be anymore of a baka than you already are."

"What?!" Kyou rounded on Yuki furiously. "Kuso nezumi! I should have known you'd take his side!"

"Baka neko." Yuki glared back, insulted. "Don't put me on the same level as him."

"Oh," Shigure said, amused. "I think I'm the one who's insulted now."

"You really are being too calm about this." Yuki's gaze was icy. "Is there a reason for that?"

"Eh?" Shigure appeared surprised. "But it's the same as always, ne? The two of you fighting, me adding little comments here and there; there's nothing different really."

"Iie." Yuki's eyes narrowed. "Don't pretend to misunderstand. You know I meant that you're being too casual with this situation, when Honda-san is at the Honke with Akito."

"Ah, that."

"Wait a minute." Kyou's gaze flickered between Shigure and Yuki. "Are you saying he might have something to do with it?"

"Don't tell me, the thought never crossed your mind?" Yuki looked at Shigure suspiciously. "With the way he's always fooling around, it's hard to say what he's thinking."

Much as he despised Yuki, Kyou did acknowledge his intelligence when it came to certain matters, not that he'd ever admit it aloud. And, when it came to Tohru, Kyou trusted Yuki more than he did Shigure when it concerned her welfare, realizing that it was about the only thing that he and the mouse were united on. So, Yuki's suspicions made Kyou wary as well as he, too, cast a baleful eye upon the author, wondering what the hell was going on in that dark head of his.

"Ah," Shigure sighed mournfully upon seeing the looks thrown his way. "Doubting me like that, it really hurts."

"Yeah, right," Kyou snorted in disgust.

"Shigure." Yuki leveled a cold gaze at the author. "You are planning something, aren't you?"

Shigure gave them an innocent look, a patented expression if there ever was one, appearing astonished at having such a question directed at him as he blinked at them almost dumbly. Despite the intense glares aimed at him, Shigure was calm as he looked back at them with a seemingly open air as he responded to Yuki's words.

"Why, whatever makes you think that?"