Soooo I know only four people have seen this, but eh, whatever. I'd rather have a few people that like my story than have a thousand that don't. But I hope that whoever is reading this likes my story! Enjoy!

Also, I'm not gonna do disclaimers on my stories. I mean, what does it matter? Ya'll know I'm not the owner of these animes, only the fics and my adorable OC Annabelle.


I walked down the street with a heavy head. Jake was walking next to me on our way home from school, and noticed my foul mood. He decided to nudge me in the arm and instead of saying anything. He knew that I'd tell him what was wrong, even though right now I wasn't saying anything. I just wanted a bit of time to collect myself before I went ahead and told him about my talk with Akito.

I really wish that today never even happened..

We reached home and I noticed just how impatient my father was while sitting on the couch. His leg was shaking a mile a minute, as if waiting for someone, but he wasn't upset at all. No, he looked very pleased. My little brother, Derek, ran up to Jake and I.

"Anna! Jake! Guess what I did in school today?" the little brunette said. He had different hair than us, but his eyes were just the same baby blue.

"Why don't you go to your room and we can talk in there when I'm done?" the little one nodded his head and cheerfully skipped off to his room.

"What's up, dad?" I asked him, earning a brief glare from said man until it turned into a normal stare. He closed his eyes and faced his head forward again.

"Just waiting for your mother to get home to tell her about the new owners of the factory giving me a raise." the man said. My eyes widened in shock and I grabbed into Jake's arm, pulling him along with me to our bedroom. Once we got there, I began pacing back and forth on the floor while Jake just tilted his head in confusion.

"Fuck fuck shit fuck FUCK!" my voice was full of worry. He did this to taunt me, to get me to do something for him! What the hell does he want from me?!

"Anna, what's wrong?" Jake asked. I stopped pacing and looked up at the red head.

"Akito! He bought the factory dad works at a month ago and he told me that if I didn't do what he said dad's job would be in jeopardy!" Jake's face turned bright red, he was pissed. I mean, pissed.

"You mean to tell me that he's manipulating my little sister (He was born first) and he's treating dad's job like a game?" before we could say anything else, my cell phone rang. After a deep breath to calm my nerves, I answered it, not recognizing the caller ID.

"Hello?" I called out to the person on the other side.

"Annabelle. How is your father doing? I heard he got a raise." a calm voice said. I scowled at him.

"Shut up, Akito. You know just as well as I do that you're the one who made that happen. Now what do you want? And how did you you get my number?" the look in Jakes face when he heard that man's name made even me shiver.

"Getting your number was easy. Now, I want you to wear something nice. A car will pick you up at six." the click of him hanging up was the last thing I heard before I looked at my phone. He didn't even give me the opportunity to refuse.

"Jake, I need your help." I said. He looked down at me.

"To do what?"

"To sneak out." he shook his head so furiously that I thought he'd get whiplash.

"No way, you're not going anywhere with that man."

"But Jake, if I don't go dad will get fired and take his anger out on me." Jake clenched his fists and grit his teeth.

"Fine, but if he so much as touches you too high or too low, call me." he said. I threw my arms around his torso.

"You're such a good brother." I said. It was true, Jake was the sweetest guy I knew before coming to Japan. Now I've met more good hearted people, but none can compare to how wonderful Jake has been to me. He's always been there to help me out and protect me from harm.


After finishing up my makeup, brushing my curly red hair, and making sure my dress was perfect, I took one last look in the mirror. I had put on a form fitting blue dress that matched my eyes and wore black flats. I can't believe I'm even trying to look good. I guess it's because I don't want dad getting fired since he'll take it out on me.

Jake distracted our father with homework he already knew the answers to while I slipped past them and out the door. I walked up to the car sitting in front of our driveway and allowed the driver to help me into the car. Inside was Akito, who made no effort to sit closer to me, but did give me a once over.

"You look nice." he stated, making my cheeks flush ever so slightly.

"Sh-shut up.." he chuckled as we drove off.

"I was almost worried to see if you were going to dress up or not." I turned my head away from him.

"It's not like you gave me a choice." silence followed my words and weighed down on us the rest of the drive. Akito and I stepped out and I looked up to see that we were at a famous chinese restaurant, Zodiac Gardens. I had passed by it a few times before, but never got a chance to eat there since it was expensive.

Akito led me inside, and we were seated by a waiter. The whole time I wouldn't let the man touch me. He did the gentleman thing actors do in those movies where they pull our a chair for you and help you sit in your seat, but I just scoffed at him while I sat. After him sitting down as well, we took a look at our menus. I was a bit surprised at how he didn't ask for a private room when the waiter offered. We were sitting out in the open with people. I guess that means he doesn't intend to do anything bad.

After ordering our meals, the waiter left us alone. I was gonna tell the man he didn't have to treat me to such an expensive dinner, but damn it, I'm getting a good meal out of this bastard if he's gonna offer.

"Annabelle, do you know of the story of the chinese zodiacs?" Akito asked. I nodded my head.

"Yeah, my mom used to tell me all about it when I was younger as a bedtime story. There's the rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, pig, dragon, snake, horse, sheep, monkey, rooster, dog and the cat even though it's not considered a zodiac." he rested his elbows on the table and leaned forward.

"Do you consider the cat part of the zodiac?"

"Well, yeah. I mean, just because he he missed the banquet doesn't mean he isn't still a part of the story. So, why not?" after carefully listening to my words, Akito leaned back into the proper position. The waiter soon came back with our food and we began eating. "Why did you bring me here?" I asked.

"I thought it would be a good change of pace for me after only dining with old, wrinkly business men." I managed to laugh at his attempt to be funny and serious at the same time. Akito wasn't as bad as everyone said he was. Sure, he was a cruel man, hands down. I witnessed this, but when I ate dinner with him he had this... relaxing look on his face. He was just as rude and cruel to me as he had always been, even after we left the restaurant. But it's like he was just a bit admirable in a way.

After Akito took me home, I snuck back into my room where Jake was waiting impatiently for my return. As soon as I stepped into the bedroom, he stood up from my bottom bunk and walked over to me.

"How was it? Did he hurt you?" was the first thing that came out of his mouth.

"No." I said and walked over to sit on my bunk. He followed suit.

"Did he do anything to you?"

"No."

"Well where did you guys even go?"

"He took me out to dinner.."

"Did he piss you off?" I shook my head.

"Not anymore than usual. He wouldn't even touch me except for when he helped me out of the car." Jake heaved a great sigh.

"Well as long as that's all that happened, he's safe for now."

From then on, Akito always made time a couple times a week to go to dinner with me. I don't know how he did it, being a powerful man and all, but he did. At first, I didn't really want to go with him, but after a few weeks of doing it, I became used to it and stopped complaining. It was getting nowhere with the man anyways. He didn't know the definition of 'no'.

Don't get me wrong, I still didn't like the guy, but I tolerated him enough to go with him and not punch him in the face. He was horrible to his family, and even worse to me sometimes, but it was like he was slowly getting better at being social. Here is one instance.

"Why are you just sitting there? Eat your food, Akito." I said, growling in annoyance.

"Oh? Are you now concerned for my health? I thought you wanted my head on a platter." the smirk he had on his face didn't tempt me much to say anything rude back.

"I did, but now? Well, you're alright Akito. Not enough for me to want to be your friend, but I don't want to rearrange your face every time I see you anymore." he chuckled a bit.

"Well, don't I feel special." I clicked my tongue at him.

"Yeah, riiiight."


One day after classes ended, everyone was beginning to leave. I decided to walk with the Sohmas until we had to go our separate ways to our homes. I finally found out who the salt and pepper dude and the girly guy was. They were Hastuharu and Momiji Sohma. They had to go a different route since the Sohma estate was the other way, but Yuki, Kyo and Tohru said they'd walk with me. Just as everyone was walking outside the doors, ready to say goodbye, we all stopped dead in our tracks.

"What the hell is he doing here?" I asked as I walked out towards the black car parked out front. Akito had decided to leave the school after our talk on the roof. Now he was there, leaning his back on the car, waiting for someone. As soon as he saw us all, he locked eyes with me and walked straight up to me. "Akito, why are you here?"

"I thought we could go for a little drive back to the estate." the raven said. Kyo spoke up.

"Leave Anna alone!" he said trying to step between us. I shook my head and pushed the red head aside. Jake was fuming next to me, about ready to pounce at the man. I had to make sure no one did just that, because it wouldn't be good for me or my family if I let it happen.

"Guys, it's okay. He's not gonna do anything bad to me." I said.

"Are you insane?!" both Yuki and Kyo shouted at the same time.

"Guys, trust me. I got this." I said and took the outstretched hand Akito had for me. When we reached the car, I looked back. Everyone was shouting at me to stay away form him. I gave them a slight smile before I climbed into the black car with the raven.

After the car drove off, I soon found myself closing my eyes. What is he planning to do with me? Honestly, it's been too long and nothing has happened after he went through so much trouble to get me to do what he says. After about ten minutes, we finally arrived at the Sohma estate. Akito led me through the gates and into the small village-like place. We walked through the dirt path, earning many stares along the way. When we reached a certain house, we walked inside. All the servants we passed immediately stopped what they were doing and dropped to the floor to bow.

"Lord, Akito! Welcome back!" one of them said. They didn't sound at all pleased he was there. In fact, they sounded afraid.

"Lord Akito, there is a business man here to speak with you. We left him in the usual meeting room." another said. Akito nodded his head and we walked on. We stopped at a sliding door and the raven opened it up for me.

"Stay here until I get this meeting over with." he said. I nodded my head and stepped inside. After he left, I decided to have a look around. The whole estate, every single building reminded me of the futile era. Akito even wore a kimono most of the time, except for that time he was in school. Besides that, it's rare to see him in anything else except for when he takes me out to eat.

After about ten minutes Akito returned. He didn't bother talking about the meeting, or how it went. But then again, I didn't bother asking. I was taken to a large room, mostly empty of any furniture. I rose a brow to Akito.

"What do you plan on doing with me in here?" I asked him. He laughed and turned around, forcing his hand under my chin so I had to look up at him.

"Wouldn't you want to know." I quickly pushed him away and glared at him.

"I'm not letting that kind of thing happen." I said firmly and he once again laughed at me.

"Relax, I was joking. I'm bored, so I decided to bring you here to entertain me." he said. I gave him a skeptical look. "Do you really think that lowly of me?"

"Yes." I deadpanned. He shook his head and sat down.

"You're truly horrible if you think that I'm going to touch you."

"Oh? But you're the one that treats everyone like a toy, so why stop at me?" he sighed and looked at the floor.

"Maybe it wasn't the best idea to pick you to keep me company."