A/N: So, this story is connected with Fruits Basket. I don't own Fruits Basket. Nor do I own the character of Akito Sohma. Not this archetype of him, anyway. This version of Akito to be shown once again belongs to Fandom Angst, and to the world they created in their story "Creatures Of The Underworld." This comes as the third installment of the epic saga/war between Akito Sohma and one Kristean Mitchell. This follows behind "Insufferable Bastards" and "The Irresistible Force Paradox"

Yes...I own Kristean Mitchell, despite him saying otherwise. Don't believe him. He lies.

I also own Shawn Evans.

So I hope that you all enjoy this third chapter of their deadly feud.

"Find your rhythm."

Labored gasps and heavy panting laid waist to the silence. Breath was almost violently drawn in through flared nostrils. Through dry parted lips that were licked in determination. Focus.

"You're not focused."

The softer whispers of movement along the padded surface came faded underneath the heavy breathing. Followed by solid contact of hands landing along flesh. Fast. Constant. Unrelenting. A symphonic dance of fluid movement in time and rhythm to the pace of heavy rhythmic panting before being viciously overtaken by a sharp, resounding slap across the face.

Followed by another breathless gasp and a hiss of pain.

"Tighten up. Your moves are getting sloppy." This chastisement came hard and laced in frustration and weighted breath. "This time, focus. Again."

Sweat. Adrenaline. Movement. Breath. Pain.

'Love, pain, one in the same.'

Time. Rhythm. Faster. Harder.

Another slap across the face stung hot across his cheek, reverberating through the sound of heavy breathing.

'...pain...'

"Again!"

Block. Defend. Attack. Take the offensive.

'Who was it that hurt you?'

The taste of blood and iron flooded his mouth with the next strike across his face, leaving his cheek rouge in the wake of this insult.

"Get your head straight and bring your A-game, or get out of my ring." And exotic pale blue eyes narrowed in response to this challenge.

Breath moved through his body. In through his nose. Filling his lungs. Out his lips. Control. Focus. Discipline. Determination.

But...underneath. Underneath was chaos. Chaos...confusion...and an overwhelming, blinding, turbulent black sea of rage he hadn't felt in such a long time.

'...could it be...that there is no one else in this world that makes you feel quite like she does...?'

Kris took his stance, his cold gaze steady, gauging his trainer's body language as he methodically formed his plan of attack. He wouldn't be so easily beaten. Dominated. Humiliated. All he needed to do was watch. Wait. Observe his opponent until the right opportunity presented itself for a restoration of balance. An opening of sorts. The smallest flicker of vulnerability. A single moment that would allow him to gain the upper hand in this match.

...all he needed to do was be patient...and wait...

The sharp click of stiletto heels came painfully abrasive upon the tense silence, drawing the attention of both men. That frigid pale blue gaze took in the attractive woman's unannounced presence for a moment. Only a single, solitary moment before a viciously malicious grin spread across Kris' lips.

The perfect opening had just presented itself.

Utilizing this momentary distraction to his advantage, Kris silently sprinted across the training mat as his bared feet quickly carried him to close the distance between himself and his trainer. Though the distraction lasted but a single, fleeting moment, it was enough for Kris to gain the element of surprise as he unleashed a brutally barbaric attack upon his trainer. Overwhelming the man and destabilizing his stance with his own footing, Kris finally forced him down to the mat with a sickening thud that echoed off the walls of the room.

Like a shock wave, the silence that followed washed back up and over the moment as both men were momentarily overtaken by breathlessness. Exotic pale eyes drank in the look of surprise laced in pain etching his trainer's features as the man stared at Kris from his back.

"How's that for focus...?" This came sardonically whispered through Kris' lips as the hand pinning his trainer to the mat by his chest came to playfully slap the man's cheek.

"Better..." The man muttered bitterly towards Kris' underhanded strategy and ill gotten victory as Kris finally stood, extending his hand to help his trainer from the floor.

"Thanks, Shaw." This call came effortlessly casual, followed with the raise of Kris' hand towards the woman in acknowledgment as he offered her an attractive side smile and wink.

And the normally stoic woman's angular cheekbones flushed a light pink, her emerald gaze drifting towards the floor beneath her chic black frames as her slender fingertips came to tuck a small shock of her dark bob behind her ear.

"I'm headed to the showers." Kris murmured lightly towards his trainer as he carried himself to the edge of the training mat, grasping a small towel to draw away some of the sweat along his bangs before it came draped along his bare, muscular shoulder-line. "Catch you next week?" And a stiff nod was the only response as Kris waved the man farewell, making his way to the woman in waiting.

"What do you have for me?" This question came through a wry smile at the way the woman avoided looking directly at him as her attention was finally drawn to the manila folder in the crook of her arm.

"The latest contracts and a few potentials that look promising." She responded before those emerald eyes flitted through thick lashes to meet exotic blue.

"Awesome." Kris deadpanned with a complete lack of interest in the monotony of this paperwork. "We can go over them together on our flight to Tokyo."

"We're going to Tokyo?" Shawn murmured, her delicate brows furrowing at this change in their work schedule.

"I want to check on the studio there." Kris murmured casually. "And I want you to come with me." And at this the woman's cheekbones dusted a light pink once more as she gave a small nod.

"About that..." Shawn murmured lightly, her emerald gaze averted from his face once more. "It's just that..." Her voice grew soft and quiet as she felt the warmth of Kris' body drift closer to hers. "Ever since Tokyo...you've been different."

"Shawn..." Her name came so tantalizingly whispered from his lips as it drew her gaze up from the floor to meet the blank slate of his beautiful features. "What have I told you about worrying about me?"

"Don't."

Shawn murmured this practiced response dutifully, and the small makings of a smile played along his lips. Drawing his hand up towards her face, he gently traced his thumb along her forehead as his fingers caressed and swept down her cheek.

"That...and it gives you such awful wrinkles." He offered this with a light chuckle towards the way her whole body seemed to helplessly respond to his touch.

"You know what I'm thinking?" Kris whispered this in Shawn's ear, his fingertips drifting down along her neck, feeling her breath hitch against his damp skin as he closed the gap between their bodies. "It's been a while since I've gotten you out of these clothes."

The lightest nip of her earlobe caused a thready sigh to push through her body as she gave a moments hesitation against his advances. Fighting with herself and these bittersweet memories laced in heartache and pain, Shawn drew a shallow breath in, only to be flooded with his musky scent as she felt his slender nose trace itself against her jaw line.

"Shower with me?" He breathed against her neck, lining it with kisses as the last of her reserves were washed away with the intoxicating smell of him and his fingers as she allowed herself to be led away discreetly.