Chapter Two

Seika, Kyo and Reihou were all out back, sitting on the back porch. Seika was in the middle of Kyo and Reihou, as she took her time trying to catch her breath and relax.

Kyo: "I'm so sorry about him, Seika. Don't take it personally he's like that with everyone, even us. He's a jerk and you just told him to his face,"

He paused.

Kyo: "Just with more words."

Seika smiled and laughed a little. She sighed, making little white clouds form from her breath and spread in the night air. Reihou got a call from her aunt, asking her if she was staying the night at where ever she was or coming home, because she had to leave for a few days on a business appointment.

Reihou: "I'm at a friends' right now…I have a key…No…No I'm with-…Ok, I know. I'm with Seika, I'll just stay with her,"

Reihou looked over at Seika, asking if that would be alright and her friend nodded in reply.

Reihou: "Alright, I know…Yes…(sigh)…Yes…EW! No, of course not!"

Some talking is softly heard from the other end.

Reihou: "I love you too, bye."

She hung up and stood.

Reihou: "I'm going to run home and pack before my aunt leaves, alright? Do you want me to go to your place or come back here?"

Seika shrugged, not really sure at the moment. Reihou just decided to call before she left the house to see where Seika would be. She left through the back gate, asking Kyo to tell Momiji that she will see him later and took off. Seika sat up and stretched.

Seika: "Sorry for causing so much trouble. You've told me before that he was head of your family and all, but I snapped anyway. Sorry."

Kyo just shrugged carelessly with a laugh and helped Seika to her feet.

Seika: "What's so funny?"

Kyo: "Well, when you punched me you told me that you were just putting me in my place, and when you do it to the head of the family, who really needed it more than anyone, you apologize for your actions. Just find it humorous, that's all"

The two walked back inside, seeing Akito still at the table. Seika looked the other way, not wanting to face the problem that making eye contact might create. Kyo squeezed her shoulder in reassurance and nodded before leaving the room. Silence filled the air, and it seemed that time stopped. What seemed like hours were only seconds, and what seemed like days of eternity were only minutes. Akito's sudden movement, of just shifting in his position, caused Seika to jump a little in surprise. Reaching the conclusion that nothing was going to change unless one of them said something to the other, Seika sighed, adding more uneasy air to the already thick and suspenseful surrounding.

Seika: "Will you just say something already?"

Akito sat quietly for a few minutes before replying in a snarky manner;

Akito: "You told me not to speak to you. OR look at you. I'm just doing what you asked of me."

Seika clenched her fist in anger and gritted her teeth, trying to keep her cool.

Seika: "You are such a smart ass! You know that? You're rude, hateful, bitter, deceitful and manipulative. And that's only what I got from your attitude! I'm sure there are much more.."

She paused to think of a word that would be more spiteful than 'faults' enough to hurt the pride of the head of the Sohma family.

Seika: "...DEFECTS. Akito Sohma, you think you are so special, prancing around, head held high like a snobbish rich girl. Well you AREN'T. You have no friends, or happiness or anything that would let you die happy! You're a weak, cruel person who only cares about his own well being."

Akito: "Will you just shut up! You know nothing about me. About what I have to do to keep this family together and in line! You people are so annoying with your preaching and morals, always expecting this and that from people who don't meet your standards! I am the head of this family for a reason, and I have respect. I don't need friends, or happiness none of that matters! YOU'RE JUST AN ANNOYING POOR LITTLE GIRL WHO DOESN'T KNOW ANYTHING! So stop talking like you've seen it all, and get out of this house and our lives!"

Seika stood there, letting Akito's words and hateful expressions sink into her mind, processing all of it. Breathing heavy from his ongoing rant, Akito stood there looking like he was about to fight Seika, fist to fist. By this point Seika had her head down, looking at the floor and the surprisingly small distance between the two. Akito watched her, a sick satisfaction of a smirk plastered on his face. He stood there, slowly growing confused as to why the loud mouth know-it-all wasn't shouting back at him by now.

Seika: "Strange...there is so little space between where we are standing, compared to the space between us as people and our lives in general. You say I'm poor, and that may be true, but at least I have people to spend my life with."

Akito scoffed and glared at her, just about ready to grab her by the hair when she looked up, tears filling her eyes, but she didn't look sad. She had a strong look in her eyes that made those tears seem like an illusion. Taken back by this sight, Akito looked slightly guilty, like he actually might have regretted what he said. Just a few minutes ago this girl in front of him had slapped him and scolded him, than came back and insulted him AGAIN. It seemed like nothing could hurt her. But here she was, crying right before his eyes.

Akito: "What are you crying for? Just like I thought. All bark and no bite, just like the BITCH you are." 'Dammit, I just can't stop these words from coming out.'

Seika's eyes widened in shock.

Seika: "Bitch, huh? Well it's not often I get such compliments from someone I just met in one day, but I'll thank you all the same."

Akito glared at her as she walked past him, gathered up her candy and went to the door, pulling on her shoes. Her phone rang; "So tell me…tell me…the reason why…How can you do this to me…You break my heart…And you make me cry" (Black Blood Brothers Closing song: Mirage, vocals by LOVEHOLIC). She pressed a button and held the phone to her ear, wiping her eyes.

Seika: "Jello?…Yuri? Yea, no I'm leaving now.…Uh huh, I'm alright! Why wouldn't I be?"

She put on a fake smile, even though her friend couldn't see her. Akito watched as Seika spoke clearly with a strong unwavering voice. She was just crying but you couldn't even tell by the way she was talking.

Seika: "Yuri, honest. NOTHING is wrong I'm 100 percent fine!…What do you mean 110?…Well maybe I don't want to be!"

Seika's eyes got big and filled with playful anger and a true smile spread onto her face.

Seika: "No Mother, I don't feel that I should be a 110 percent, than I'd be a golden retriever!"

Akito covered his mouth to stop himself from laughing at her play on words.

Seika: "Yea I know it's over achiever, I was just…Ugh never mind. I'll be home soon just start heading over. Bye."

Kyo came back out looking at both of them. Seika at the door and Akito with a small soft smile, watching her get her bag. Kyo looked at him suspiciously and cleared his throat. Seika looked up and saw Kyo and smiled at him.

Seika: "It's about time you came back. I'm heading out, Yuri will be at my place soon."

Kyo: "Do you want me to walk you home? Will you be alright by yourself?"

Seika smiled softly at Kyo and stood up straight. She made her way over to Kyo and squeezed his hand, knowing he didn't like to be hugged. Kyo smiled, than frowned. Almost as if he wanted a hug. Akito noticed and scowled.

Akito: "Kyo."

Kyo sighed, knowing that the situation of him turning wouldn't end well. So he just smiled and squeezed Seika's hand back.

Kyo: "Alright. You know to call me if you need help or anything, right?"

Seika: "Kyo, please. I won't be home alone this time. Yuri will be there. I'll be ok."

Kyo nodded and let go of her hand. Akito watched curiously, a bit confused about the fuss Kyo was making over Seika going home. Sure, he said she was poor, but he was certain she at least had a house to stay in. Her whole family can't be living on the street. Seika said goodbye to Kyo one more time.

Seika: "Tell Momiji and the others I said bye, and I'll see them when I see them."

With that she walked out, not even looking in Akito's direction or saying anything to him in the slightest. Akito looked stunned, he didn't really expect a goodbye. He hadn't been very gracious to her and, honestly, he knew he didn't deserve any kind words from her. Especially after the way he spoke to her. But she didn't even glare at him or anything. Akito didn't want her to feel sorry for him, or like him. Nothing like that. Yet, there was something inside him that yearned for her attention. Whether she was screaming or just glaring at him.

Akito: 'What's going on with me?'