One night I got to thinking, if there's a true form for the cat then why not the rat too. But there's a twist to this story

Well if you want to call it a twist

Enjoy

Ch. 1

Pain

"He's your brother, isn't he? So do something about him," Kyo told Yuki, facing away from him.

"If I could, don't you think I would've done it by now?" Yuki asked bluntly. "He always hides behind Shigure like a scared little ten-year-old."

Kyo snapped, "You use Shigure to hide from Akito, rat-boy!"

"That's not the same, Kyo!" Yuki shouted, sharply standing up.

"Oh, isn't it?! As children you spent more time with Akito than anyone in the family!"

"My parents sold me to Akito! I was forced to!"

"Huh? Sold? Is that why your parents always seemed so happy that they were getting rich all of a sudden?" Kyo asked softly, seeing Yuki's expression turn to sadness and fear. Yuki nodded, holding back the tears that threatened to fall.

"Boys, please stop arguing," Tohru said softly. "I don't mean to be nosey, but… could you tell me what happened, please?"

"If you want to know Miss Honda… talk to Hatori… he has the whole explaintion on tape. Well, my "dad" was the one filming and having the best time of his life. Kyo, next time you open your big mouth… try researching the subject first," Yuki choked out. He walked off towards the forest.

"Yuki, where're you going?" Tohru asked.

"A walk alone. I'll be back later," Yuki answered walking deep into the forest.

Kyo's P.O.V.

Watching him walk away like that, I couldn't help but feel like a complete idiot. Why did I even feel that way? Maybe because I'm now thinking about my mom again. My mom never sold me to anyone. All she did – mainly – was check to make sure my beads were still on. Every damn day. I knew she was scared of me – or that cat's true form at least – she would always say 'I love you Kyo'.

Momiji's mom rejected him, but she didn't sell him. Her memory was erased so she wouldn't suffer or tear herslf up over it anymore. Kisa's mom loves her with all her heart. Same with Hiro and for Haru… his parents also loved him. Ritsu's parents love him, but he can be a real headache along with his parents.

Shigure and Hatori both had loving parents. Kagura's parents love her shiver phew what am I thinking? She's not here. Let's see… am I missing anyon-? Yuki's older brother. When he was born, his parents didn't really care, but they supported that snake, surprisingly.

Now I hear that Yuki's parents SOLD him to Akito?! All they cared about was the money?! Now that I think about it… Yuki did ask Akito to let the cat be a part of the zodiac. If I remember right… Akito got really mad and dragged him somewhere. I didn't see him for three days. When I did see him again, his arm was bleeding and he was coughing.

I remember him say in a shaky voice, "sorry, I tried. I'll… I'll try again if you want." Same result every time. I hated that rat before so damn much, but now that I'm reflecting on all this… I… I guess I'm feeling more concerned than hate. The entire Sohma family shunned him, ignored him, and didn't care about the rat-boy. Now that – that snake is an adult, he's been trying to redeem himself for not being there for Yuki as kids.

*Sigh* I guess I should go get him before something bad happens. I'm just getting that feeling.

"We should head back, Tohru. I think a storms coming," I told her.

"But, what about Yuki?" she asked.

"I'm sure he can feel the weather changing. I'm sure he's heading back to the house, by now," I told her, trying to reassure her. She nodded as we started down the path to the lake house. What was I saying? 'I'm sure he's heading back to the house'? I don't even believe what I said.

Huh? What's that? Not even half way to the house I thought I heard screaming. It was faint, but… I guess I was worrying too much right now. It started down-pouring as soon as we got to the door. I let Tohru go in first. We looked around and only saw the three stooges.

"Hey, where's Yuki?" I asked.

"I thought he was with you two," Shigure said.

"He was, until an argument got out of hand. I said something that… right now I wish I hadn't said," I told him. Tohru was still looking around for him. "I thought he'd head back here once the weather started changing."

"Well, Yuki isn't here," Hatori told me. Oh, man… now I'm really starting to worry. Last time he was out in the cold, he had an asthma attack. I'm glad that was just a mild one, but out in this shit… he could have a severe attack. Even if he is growing out of the condition.

Huh? What's a snake doing slithering in here? Wait, it's going over to Ayame. Looks like the snakes are talking about something.

"YOU CAN'T BE SERIOUS!" Ayame suddenly screamed.

"Rrragh, what is it?!" I exclaimed, shielding my ears. Ayame ran to the closet, grabbed a long coat, and ran to the door.

"Ayame, wait! Where do you think you're going in this weather?" Hatori asked sternly.

"To sum it up in a few words: Akito. Parents. Yuki. Badly. Hurt. And I'm going to get him away from those three bastards. The snake informed me of that."

"Wait, I'm coming too," I told him.

"Well, well, well. Kyo, I never thought I'd see the day that you would actually go out in a typhoon to help Yuki," Shigure said, clearly taken by surprise.

"Let's just say that argument we had, opened my eyes to what might've happened if I was the rat instead. And Yuki did say that Hatori has a tape of what really happened to him when we were still kids."

"That's true. Ayame take this warm coat. You'll need it if you're going out in this," Hatori said, throwing the snake a warm furry coat.

"Thanks," the snake said as he slipped it on and ran off. I followed him after I told Tohru to stay here with the other two. She nodded as I ran after the snake.

The storm pounded us with heavy needles as we ran through the forest. I sniffed the air and what I smelled… was blood. That was something I didn't want to smell, but I could tell we were getting closer.

"Just like old time, huh, Yuki?"

"I said this before, son. A child that was born a rat deserves to be alone to suffer."

"You're a very disobedient child, Yuki. I wish I never gave birth to a disobedient son."

"*Huff, huff* I don't have any parents!"

Yuki sounds like he's in a lot of pain. Now that I think about it… Akito is a source of great fear to Yuki. Guess it's the same for the other two bastards.

"Stop right there!" Ayame and I shouted when we entered the same atmosphere as them. Akito was there holding a dagger stained with blood that the rain washed off. The other two I don't really recognize, but I'm sure it was Yuki's parents. Both holding knives, but… where's Yuki?

"Where

S my brother, Akito? Sandra, Kilik?" Ayame asked angrily as he walked forward. If I didn't know better, I'd say that Ayame could turn into the Hulk at any moment if he hasn't already without me noticing.

"Stop where you are, Ayame." I think that was Kilik's voice. He moved under a tree with strong branches to keep the blurry rain off. What I saw… was the worst sight I have ever seen in my life. Kilik had Yuki pinned to his chest with the knife to his throat. I could tell that his hands were bound behind his back. Rope was secured around his chest as well.

"One step closer Ayame and you might as well say your good-byes right now!" Kilik told him. "That goes for the cat freak too." I growled at him with rage.

"Kyo is not a cat freak! He's a stupid cat!" Yuki told him as Kilik pressed the knife against his skin. I stiffened up as more rage filled my veins. Did… did he just defend me with a knife to his throat? Oh, man. From this distance, I could see various cuts on Yuki's face. Ayame froze up and growled or hissed at the three.

"Why are you bastards doing this to him?" Ayame hissed.

"Why? I want him under my control again snake breath. And that can only happen by re-educating him," Akito told us.

"You're sick, Akito!" I blurted out in rage. "This isn't re-educating! This is torture! Now you listen to me Akito! Release Yuki right now! Or someone's parents will be notified!"

If there's one thing Akito fears – it's his own parents finding out what he's doing. I know their number and Akito knows it.

"Curse you, Kyo!" Akito yelled.

"I'm already cursed!" I yelled back.

"Sandra, Kilik let's go. That rat might as well be dead in ten minutes anyway," Akito ordered as he walked off. Sandra laughed as she followed the Sohma family head. Kilik removed the blade from Yuki's throat and placed it in his jacket pocket. He shoved Yuki into the rain as Ayame moved in to catch him. Kilik vanished from sight as I ran over to the brothers. Ayame untied the ropes that bound Yuki. On closer examination, the ropes that bound Yuki's wrists just about cut off his circulation. There was a very deep wound in his left shoulder that came down to his elbow. As well as several other wounds on his chest and legs.

"Yuki! Yuki please talk to me!" I begged. "Come on, you damn rat! Say something!"

"*Huff, huff* I thought *huff* begging was a Shigure thing," Yuki huffed out. "Ni-san, Kyo. Thank you." With that said, he started coughing hard and wheezing. I was right about an asthma attack, but how the hell should I know if it's mild or sever?

"Hold on, Yuki," Ayame said as he wrapped Yuki in the long coat and picked him up. We ran as fast as we could back to the lake house.

Tohru's P.O.V.

Two full hours passed and I'm still worried. It looks like Hatori is prepared to see the worst. The phone suddenly rang – making me jump. Shigure answered it, "Yeah… Kyo, where are you?... What?!... Okay, understood! They're almost here and Yuki is really hurt with an asthma attack!" I gasped in shock.

"I figured as much," Hatori sighed. I ran to the door and opened it. I could barely make out two dark figures running this way.

"Ayame! Kyo! Yuki!" I shouted as they reached the porch. We went inside as Ayame took Yuki over to Hatori. I could hear Yuki wheezing intencely and coughing hard. As soon as Ayame took the coat off Yuki… my heart sank. H… his arm… his face… his chest… his legs… were all bleeding.

Kyo placed his hand on my shoulder. I turned to face him. He looked as worried as I was.

"Kyo, Tohru! Please go in the other room," Hatori told us in a rushed voice. "Ayame, I need you and Shigure here!"

Kyo and I went in the hallway and sown to a study. A desk stood to the left and a bookshelf adjacent to that. With more bookshelves with tapes (VHS) as well as books.

Kyo's P.O.V.

I turned to Tohru. She looked terrified to the bone. I wanted to reassure her that Yuki will pull through, but… but I'm not entirely sure myself. Tohru ran out and came back with a towel.

"You'll catch cold if you don't dry off," she said, handing me the towel.

"Th-thanks," I said, taking the towel. Man, my voice sounded ready to break down in tears. I dried off and we waited.

We waited for what seemed like months. Sweat raced down my skin… same with Tohru. The door suddenly swung open. We sharply turned towards it to see Shigure panting with a smile.

"Yuki *huff* will be fine *huff, huff*," he said, huffing for air.

My eyes lit up and I could tell Tohru's was doing the same thing.

"Can we see him, please?" Tohru asked.

"Was his asthma mild or sever?" I asked.

"Yes, you can see him. Hatori said it was almost a sever attack," Shigure answered. "You and Aya got him here just in time. Ha'ri has him on asthma medicine right now."

Oh man. I am so glad to hear that. Tohru and I ran down to the liing room. Hatori stood by the couch with the snake. I could hear Yuki's breathing become steady… and wheezed only a few times now.

"You're a life saver, Ha'ri," Ayame said as a single tear escaped his eye. Tohru and I walked over to the couch. We looked down to see Yuki asleep. Hatori had an oxygen or asthma mask on him. Bandages had been put on the cuts on his face. A warm blanket covered him as the lights suddenly died.

Damn typhoon! I'm just glad that the asthma medicine machine ran on batteries. *Sigh* thanks for pulling through you damn rat. I smiled at that thought.

That whole night; Ayame, Tohru, Shigure, Hatori, and I slept by Yuki. I… I just didn't want to leave his side right now.

How could Akito say that what he was doing was re-educating? When it was complete torture?

Normal P.O.V.

The sun poked through the windows. The warm rays danced in the room. Yuki opened his eyes slowly. His vision was a bit blurry at first. He rubbed his eyes and looked around. Ayame was stretched out on the floor in between the couch and the coffee table. Kyo hung over the back of the couch along with Tohru. Shigure was on the side of the coffee table and Hatori on the other side.

Yuki pushed himself into a sitting position. "Time to wake up guys," he said clearly. Everyone sharply woke up and their attention was on Yuki.

"I'm relieved to see you awake," Hatori said as he got up and walked over to him. He removed the asthma mask and turned the machine off.

"Yuki… I-I…" Ayame started to say but was cut off when Yuki embraced him. That shocked everyone to see.

Tohru's P.O.V

I didn't expect Yuki to hug his brother like this. The gap between them must be connecting now.

"You may be an idiot, ni-san… but you did come for me when I needed help," Yuki said softly.

"I promise I'll always be there for you when I can From now on, Yuki," Ayame said, returning the embrace. My heart lifted when I saw this moment. I looked over at Kyo, who looked about ready to cry.

"Um… hey Yuki," Kyo said as the brothers separated. Yuki turned his head to face Kyo. "Why did you yell that when there was a knife against your throat?" What? What did he just say?

"Because I'm the only one who can poke fun and call you names. Plus, 'cat freak' isn't what you are," Yuki told him.

"That's true," Kyo said with a smile.

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