I would have had this posted much earlier if my stupid computer hadn't erased half of what I added at the end. I had to re-write the ending at least 3 times, and by then the ideas had half-died in my head. I'm sorry if the ending doesn't make 100% sense or my writing style has changed any... Thank you for the reviews! It's nice to have feedback and know that people are reading! I hope this longer chapter will make up for not updating earlier D: I personally hate when people don't update their stories for a long time... but a month isn't bad I suppose. Translations are at the bottom, and I apologize for any mistakes.


Change of Fate: Chapter 3
-Flipped Intentions-

Kyo's fists clenched under the table, his lips pursed in a thin line as he glared. This wasn't supposed to happen. The girl wasn't doing any harm, Akito didn't know anything! His eyes bore into the dragon who was sitting quietly as everyone else was now, cigarette held tightly between his lips. "She won't have to lose her memories, Hatori-san. She hasn't done anything! Akito-sama's already said she could keep the secret! And it's not like you wouldn't have a say in erasing her memories!" he yelled at him, causing all eyes to drift to the loud boy.

Shigure's head tilted to the side slightly. "You have a point, Kyo-kun. However we all know Akito-sanma changes his mind when he wants, no matter what it may be. No one has control over the situation. True, she's done nothing to harm anyone, but Akito-sama seems to think she has." The dog went quiet soon after. He wasn't sure what Akito's motive was yet, and he was curious to know. Yet the sudden decision of their flower leaving the house was a saddening one he didn't want to focus on.

The dragon spirit's eyes met the orange-haired boy. "We can't be the ones to decide what happens to Honda-san. You should know yourself that the mention of defiance will bring consequences." His voice had taken on a hardened tone to it now. With the last chilling word, he watched Kyo recoil back into his place, having leaned far over.

Yuki let a growl slip past his own lips. "Shigure-san, don't you have any say if Hatori-san doesn't? I thought you were… somewhat close to Akito-sama." He was wrapping his mind around the situation, and the first thing that popped into the boy's head had been the picture of Shigure rambling on about going to see Akito one day, acting out a happy façade. However, he thought for a moment, it would be impossible to be happy if you knew who you were really going to see. Although Shigure was always unfazed by going to visit the head of the family on those occasions, it was unclear if Akito had ever done anything to harm him. He was a weird dog.

Shigure felt a frown creep onto his handsome features. "Yuki-kun, it's true that Akito-sama does nothing to me on a good day when I leave to go to him. Yet you shouldn't be asking, since you're the rat. Closest to God, is he not? Now that's contradicting, isn't it?"

The room had become chilly, and no one was sure if it was from the breeze wafting through the crack in a window or the happening of the moment. Shigure didn't usually show an abundant amount of insult. Now-familiar silence wrapped itself around the occupants of the room. It was then they noticed Tohru's frail form still silently sitting. She looked as if she had only been listening to half of what was being said.

"Tohru-kun?"

Tohru's eyes were closed as she heard Kyo's voice break into her thoughts. Her heart was beating loudly, her breaths were quick and small, and her hands on her knees quivering. No, she had to keep it together. She couldn't show them how shaken she was by this. After all, like she had said, it was Akito's decision. This wasn't her family. She opened her eyes and she could feel tears coming to the large brown oculars, but she pushed them away with a mental shove. Repositioning herself in her seat on the floor and swallowing a lump in her throat, she met Kyo's worried glace. "You all shouldn't be so worried about me," she told them in a quiet voice. "Hatori-san has had to erase people's memories before. I should be no different. And don't worry, because I'll be fine. I have so much; all I can do is oblige to Akito-sama's requests. I know you all will listen to what Akito-sama says, because he's very important to you. I wouldn't want to be disrespectful to your family or him, even if he's not nice at times…"

Kyo and Yuki both tensed at her words, eyes widening. "Erasing other people's memories? That was different! Back with the children when I was younger, there were too many people. I got over it," Yuki told her, although it was a half lie. It still brought him discomfort to remember watching Hatori suppress his friend's memories of himself. "And Kana-san… Hatori-san told us that as long as she was happy, he was. It was for her own good." Yuki ignored the dark look the doctor gave him, already knowing he had said too much. "And whoever saw us transform on accident, they didn't mean much to us, put nicely in a way. You do, Honda-san." Yuki gave her a small smile, watching her mood lighten some.

Kyo let out a hiss as he watched. Stupid rat took my words…

Tohru closed her eyes for a moment again, this time a small smile on her peachy lips. "Thank you, Yuki-kun. That means so much to me…" She looked to everyone as they stared. "I suppose that I should get going, since making Akito-sama wait would not be polite."

Kyo bristled as he slammed both his hands against the table. "No!" he snapped. "Do you want to forget us? What if Akito-sama hurts you? You think you're so tough, but don't come crying to me when that kid throws a good punch at you!" he argued loudly. Kyo couldn't imagine what it would be like if Akito hurt her. To put it short, he wasn't in favour of the idea. Then again who was?

Tohru looked to the left as Kyo finished. She had no reason to cover for that, but what was she supposed to do? Akito controlled the Sohmas and if she stayed or if she had to go. Truthfully she knew she wouldn't be able to protect herself from him.

"I hate to say but I'm siding with Kyo on this one," Yuki muttered grudgingly with a frown. His voice changed back to its more audible tone as he shifted. "Honda-san, what if he hurts you in some other way as well? As he's done to me… it's not easy. I can't let you put yourself into a position like that." She was much too important to him. Tohru was on his list people he trusted and loved, and the number of people on that list with both titles was few sadly.

The brunette's eyes went to Yuki, seeing his eyes cloud with worry for her. It felt wonderful to have someone try and protect you like that. "Yuki-kun," she said sympathetically while Kyo backed down, teeth gritted. She couldn't object to that either... "But what would happen if I didn't go?" she asked. "And if I didn't that would be dis—"

"We know!" Kyo hissed at her. "Just shut up and listen to us. We don't want you—"

Shigure coughed to interrupt, flicking the end of his cigarette at Kyo and watching him brush the ashes off and curse at him. "I'll say I don't want Tohru-kun to see him either. But is it worth keeping her here, perfectly safe, if we're jeopardizing the rest of the other Zodiac members including ourselves? Remember that we don't know what Akito-sama will do exactly. Unlike Tohru we don't have a choice about going to see him."

Uncertainty flooded the two boys, and Tohru watched them glower at the patterns in the table that had caught their interest suddenly. The schoolgirl smiled sheepishly. "Shigure-san's right. Knowing that, I would feel so guilty. If I can protect someone, then I'll gladly go. I'm sorry Kyo-kun and Yuki-kun." She watched Kyo open his mouth to say something and then close it, which brought Yuki to mutter the famous phrase of 'cat caught your tongue?' "I should be getting ready then…"

Hatori cleared his throat. "That would be wise." Even in such a circumstance she wouldn't forget manners. She was truly a thoughtful girl. He watched as she got up from the table and slipped out of the room, wanting to avoid any more confrontations. Her determination was admirable. Hatori held up a hand to the boys, seeing them begin to stand. They gave him a glare, but Hatori was thankful that they stayed seated.

Tohru slipped to the bathroom quickly going to the sink, leaning over and splashing cold water onto her face. She couldn't believe it. She was going to see Akito, right now. What did he want exactly? What had she done? She couldn't think of anything… maybe it had been something she hadn't even realized. It must be one of those trivial things, although she didn't know how Akito could know. She wiped her face with a towel and then hands, hanging it up before sighing. Running a bush through her brown hair quickly and leaving the small room, she went back to where everyone had been.

Hatori was standing at the front door, as were Kyo and Yuki; Shigure absent. Tohru gave them all a smile, seeing they were frozen as she entered, causing them to melt slightly. "I'm ready," she told them all as she went to stand beside Hatori. She looked between the two boys, swallowing thickly as they stared. It was clear she wouldn't reconsider her options.

Yuki stepped forwards. "Honda-san, if anything happens… I want you to know that you'll always be remembered. I'm sure Hatori-san will intervene if Akito-san tries anything," he said giving the stoic man a glance, "and we'll be here waiting for you." He smiled happily. Yuki had a feeling that Akito wouldn't harm her physically… no, he wouldn't. He was the manipulative type. But he had the hunch that he would try something quite opposite. If he did, Yuki promised himself that he would be there for her.

Kyo grabbed the back of Yuki's shirt and yanked him backwards, causing the rat to frown and give him a side kick. "Stop hogging, pretty boy," Kyo growled under his breath, too low for Tohru's naïve ears to hear. He stepped forward to stare at her. She smiled at him expectantly. How does someone smile when they know they're going off to get a talking to? Geez. "You better be back soon. I gotta do homework, and you're the only one with the answers."

The comment brought the boy grumbles of how idiotic he was from Yuki and Hatori. Tohru however gave a small laugh. "Of course! I'll be perfectly fine. Kyo-kun," she said with a smile. "Kyo-kun, I promise that I'll come back."

The missing man of the household appeared in a flurry of blue fabric. "Of course my flower will!" A grinning Shigure skipped into the scene, eyes shining happily, arms outstretched as he came closer to her. Tohru cringed away, afraid of him hugging her and setting off the curse, but her eyes widened as she felt soft lips against her cheek, only for a moment.

"Pervert!" Three males screamed his name, watching him recoil back with his hands up innocently. Tohru watched in horror, a hand on her cheek, as three loud slaps came one after the other. She had never seen Hatori physically hurt anyone, and it surprised her. "Shigure-san!" she called, seeing him wince with each one however holding a crooked smirk.

"What was that about?" Hatori said darkly, hands itching to strangle him further. He was uncontrollably spontaneous, and the doctor swore he himself was going to suffer a stroke if the animal didn't smarten up soon in his later years.

"Ne, ne, I took precautions! If she doesn't come back alive, I'll miss my wife! Tohru-kun, wouldn't you miss me?" His eyes seemed to grow larger as he put on a sweet pleading face, causing Kyo and Yuki to slap him once more, watching the red palm-shaped marks on each side of his face turn a deeper shade of red.

Tohru blinked, letting her hand at her cheek fall to its side again. "O-Of course," she stammered. "S-Shigure-san d-doesn't have to do something like that if he wants me to say I'll miss him," she said blushing. It was true he was handsome, but until now he hadn't tried anything like that that he knew Tohru wouldn't push him away for.

Hatori glared at the dog. "Mutt," he breathed shaking his head before turning out the door. The lack of morals with some people, he thought bitterly. "I'll call before I come to drop Honda-san off." He ushered her out with him quickly, ignoring a pouting Shigure who looked like he wanted to say something most likely unintelligent. After hardly three paces out the door he was stopped by the feeling of eyes on his back. He turned to see two figures in the doorway.

Kyo's eyes drilled into Hatori sharply, Yuki's not a fraction lighter as they stood stiffly. "So she'll be back?" Kyo asked, fingernails gripping the doorframe as he peered out behind it.

Hatori gave a quick nod before continuing to his car and opening the passenger door for Tohru. He wasn't sure what the outcome would quite be yet.

~::~::~::~::~::~

Tohru stared ahead of herself as she walked up with Hatori from his car to the main house gates. She kept her pace even with his, and her head held high as if she was sure everything was going to go smoothly. She was only half sure however, since Hatori had said he would make sure she came home, and she herself had promised that she would too. The car ride had been uneventful here, and she was sure only two words had passed between her and the doctor of the Sohmas. "Buckle up." She had kept her thoughts to herself, having quietly watched the dragon smoke in his car as Momiji had once told her he always did, and had also watched the scenery around her pass. It was all too beautiful, she thought. This world was so full of wonderful things.

She was brought out of her small daydream as Hatori sighed, only then had she noticed they had already gone through the gates and were walking along the path that strayed from the main building first seen past the gates.

The compound was huge inside. She remembered once that she had gotten lost while going to find Momiji, and had to be helped out by Kisa, the tiger of the Zodiac, who had been coming home from school, earlier than their school was let out hence her being a younger Sohma.

The two turned down a pathway and went onto a deck-sort walkway connected to traditional Japanese houses. "Akito-sama's room is in the center of the compound," Hatori explained to Tohru as she frowned, walking past doors.

Tohru nodded trying to send the frown of worry off her face. She shouldn't be frowning; she had to stay strong for everyone. "Hatori-san, Akito-sama only wants to speak to me about... living conditions, right?" she asked hesitantly. A part of her was trying to convince herself that that would be simple while the other was arguing that there was something deeper in meeting Akito. After all, she had been summoned specifically.

Hatori nodded, opening his mouth to speak before closing it quickly. A boy had appeared out of nowhere and was standing in front of them, hands on his hips and legs wide as he leaned forwards, grinning. "Tohru-chan! Ich habe dich vermisst!" he rambled, poking her nose from his stance, watching her smile and blush lightly.

"Momiji-kun!" she said in surprise with her smile widening as quickly as it had appeared. "I've missed you!" It felt like so long since she had come to visit him in his home. The younger boy was a very good friend. They were only a year apart and Tohru had to constantly remind herself of that. Momiji didn't quite act his age to say the least. She enjoyed talking with him when she visited. They played games, enjoyed snacks, and Tohru even got to hear the boy play a piece with his violin.

The rabbit gave a laugh; eyes brightening at seeing the girl recite his words as if having translated them. "That's exactly what I said!" He skipped a pace towards her, about to give her a hug before Hatori put his arm in front of her and pushed the boy back with some effort. Hatori was not in the mood to carry a vibrating rabbit to his room. The golden-haired boy frowned. "Ha'ri'!" Momiji whined, looking up pleading. "I want to hug Tohru-chan!"

Tohru tilted her head down, looking at him with a small smile. "Momiji-kun, I don't think this is the time for hugs. I would, but not now. Later, after maybe," she told him hesitantly. Watching the younger boy sink into a more relaxed stance with a confused look, she explained quickly. "Ano… Akito-sama asked that I go see him to talk to me about living conditions." She said it with a tone that clearly showed her own confusion of the matter. Nothing too much had been explained to her besides the basics. Tohru wasn't sure she wanted to know any more though, and she was reluctant to tell the boy she was most likely leaving Shigure's.

Momiji's face paled. "Tohru-chan! Are you sure you want to go? Akito-sama might take your memories!" the boy blurted, looking to Hatori in fear. "Ha'ri won't do that, will he?" Whenever the dragon was around and it involved Akito everyone expected the worse.

Hatori felt his shoulders tense as he watched the two now looking at him. He hated being the one to have to end the memories of people who— "Honda-san," he said breaking his own thoughts off. "We should hurry on our way. Akito-sama doesn't take light to tardiness."

Tohru gasped as Momiji lunged to wrap his arms around her tightly, the pressure leaving her sides as an audible poof came and followed in a cloud of smoke. Tohru looked into her arms to see a trembling pale yellow rabbit looking up with huge watering brown eyes. "I don't want you to forget me!" the boy cried, nuzzling into the crook of her elbow.

"M-Momiji-kun, don't cry," she said as she softly stroked the small trembling animal. "Hatori-san told everyone back at Shigure-san's that he would bring me home, so that must mean that I'll be fine." If I end up going back to Shigure-san's, she said to herself in the back of her mind.

The rabbit looked into her eyes now, sniffing, and nose twitching. "Tohru-chan will always remember me?" he asked before looking to Hatori who was watching with an unreadable expression. "Right Ha'ri?"

Hatori reached to Tohru's arms and took the rabbit into his own with a sigh. "Momiji-kun, don't overwhelm yourself with this. I'm sure Akito-sama is only removing Tohru from Shigure-san's house... at the worst. We'll try to keep that from happening. It's possible that Honda-san can change his mind. She seems to have that effect." He was unconsciously stroking the soft fur of the transformed Zodiac member, Tohru noticed. It brought a smile to her face. They were like father and son. He let go as there was another poof.

Tohru turned away, not wanting to see Momiji in the nude, as she was already beginning to blush. Once Hatori gave a long sigh she turned around, knowing he had clothed himself. "Will Momiji-kun be alright?" she asked the boy watching as he replied with a sad nod.

"He'll have to be. Momiji, even though we're deeper into the compound than most someone could have easily seen. Be more careful," he scolded before looking towards the entrance of Momiji's house. "You should head home, don't you have homework?"

Momiji nodded, smiling. He knew Hatori, as uncaring-looking as he could be, would keep everything 'alright.' "Hai! Auf wiedersehen Tohru-chan!" he said, escaping from beside an annoyed Hatori and going to hug her again. As long as Hatori promised not to take her memories he was alright. That word seemed strange when you were talking about Akito.

Tohru flailed her hands as he hugged, scrambling to catch him in the poof of smoke. "Momiji-kun!" She gasped as she saw him at her feet, a paw on her shoe as he looked up. "I'll see you later! Stop by when you head out!" he said cheerily as Hatori picked up his clothes on the ground again, going to open the door to the boy's house and throwing the clothes in on something inside. He turned and left on his way, leaving a crack for Momiji. There's few ways that will get Momiji to leave Tohru alone... not that he's uncomfortable with himself naked, although it's a hope he thought.

Tohru looked to the older man, seeing his jaw set as he stared forward ahead and continued leading the way. Tohru gave a quick smile at Momiji, who was still looking at her with round eyes. She bent down and stroked his head comfortingly. "I won't forget Momiji-kun," she said quietly. "Eh, I should be going…" Hatori wasn't slowing his brisk pace. She waved at the boy as he hopped across the walkway to the crack in the door and squeezed in. Tohru caught up with the man, swallowing a strange sensation in her throat she had gotten after talking with Momiji.

Tohru felt a strange chill building up in her chest as they approached the room where Akito would be. Her mind quickly raced with thoughts of what could happen. Would Akito chase her away from the Sohmas? Would he threaten her? She wanted to believe that the man —boy? — would simply tell her to move out of Shigure's house at most. Something inside her, the same voice as earlier, was telling her that wouldn't be the case. She quietly stood with her feet together as Hatori knocked on the door and spoke his arrival. Tohru shifted her weight from foot to foot, hands folded in front of her. Her uncertainty had grown quickly from the ball in her stomach.

"Come in," came a silky quiet voice from within the thin-walled room. Tohru let Hatori open the door and enter first before she followed. As she came into the darkened room she had to keep herself from shivering. She had been in here once before, and the last visit hadn't been pleasant. Her skull seemed to prickle where Akito had last grabbed her hair and yanked it. The room still felt crushing from all angles. The place gave off an aura of pain, sadness and loneliness as well as sickness that was often associated with Akito. The windows were covered with a tan fabric draping down, letting little light in. A single line of sunlight leaked through, landing on a shape sitting in a broken position on the floor. The floorboards creaked slightly as Tohru and Hatori stopped before the figure, its back to them, and knelt down respectively.

The figure turned in his seat on blankets and pillows, thin fingers pulling the blanket up on its shoulders. Akito gave a soft, cool smile at the two of them as he adjusted himself in his seat. His shortened raven hair was ruffled slightly, giving off the impression of having been sleeping only moments before. "My faithful dragon has brought me what I asked for. I expected no less from you, Hatori-san; a little late, perhaps. But your god is forgiving, isn't he?" Hatori silently recalled the words spoken so often and gave a nod.

Tohru watched as Akito looked to her and smiled wider. "Tohru." The word seemed to have been coated with distaste he had let slip. "I am happy to see you came without complaints. Did my dragon tell you why I wanted you?" He spoke softly, causing Tohru to breathe quicker. He had used the same tone once before, when the family head had lashed out at her. She nodded and looked into the black eyes that were shining with malice.

She drew a steadying breath as Akito stood up and walked closer to her to look down with an unreadable gaze. "Yes," she answered, "yes, Akito-sama. Hatori-san has told me that you don't want me living at Shigure-san's house any longer." She felt her stomach churn with the words she said, causing her head to spin. She didn't even want to say the thought aloud. Tohru looked down from the god of the Zodiac. She couldn't admit it to herself, but she was scared. Scared of losing her friends, family. The people she had grown to love and understand. She knew at this point that Akito could choose what he wanted to do, and that was that. She had little say in the matter. Tohru quickly scolded herself with an internal shake. No. That was no way to think. She had to be optimistic, it was what her mother had always told her was right.

Akito watched the girl squirm under her own words. It brought a strange pleasure to him, knowing he was in complete control of her in the moment. She had seemed so far out of his reach. And now…He looked to Hatori who was watching the scene from his own perspective. "That is all he told you, Tohru?" the dark haired boy asked, eyes however on Hatori meeting his one visible eye, the other hidden behind black bangs. All Hatori could do was pray that the head would keep his temper under control. He repositioned his feet under himself. If he needed to intervene, he would.

Tohru nodded once. "Yes."

Akito looked down at her now, eyes narrowing. "He didn't tell you why I don't agree with you living at my dog's house?" he asked icily. Without waiting for an answer, he hissed. "It's because you're not one of us. Haven't I told you this before? You can never understand us. You weren't meant to know us. You've stolen my Zodiac away from me. I can't let that happen."

Tohru met his icy eyes watching, waiting, and listening. She could never understand them? Maybe she couldn't, but she could relate. She could relate to feeling lost, hopeless and sad. She could comfort. Tohru's heart swelled, wanting to reach out to Akito like she had to the others. She could feel his betrayal and loneliness. Her mind was snapping in all places. What was Akito after? She opened her mouth and spoke quietly. "I don't completely understand, Akito-sama. I haven't done anything to harm you or your family."

Hatori could feel his heart beat quicker. It had been the wrong thing to say to the family head. He watched as Akito's black eyes flashed, teeth clench, and eyes narrow. He wasn't sure whether to restrain him before anything happened, or in the moment…

Akito stepped forwards, furious now. It didn't take much to unbalance him. "You ungrateful, stupid girl! Who are you to deny what I say? You've taken away my family and you know it! My dog is ceasing to visit me; each time he comes is shorter and shorter! My rat, the closest to me, will not even come near! You distraction, you deceiver! Living with my men, who think you're beautiful?" he screamed at her.

Tohru stared at him as he yelled. She swallowed, slight guilt seeping into her. What Akito was saying was true, she realized suddenly. Shigure had been returning from Akito's earlier and earlier each time, less frequent trips were made out to the estate. She knew Yuki wanted to keep away, he had told her that. But was it really her fault? Part of her wanted to agree, the head of the family could be so harsh and upfront. She stared up at him as he began talking again.

"Tohru," he sneered her name and she winced slightly. "Do you know the color of ugliness? Of disgust, loathing? They say every heart has a color."

The girl watched unblinking, although her eyes were on the verge of letting tears flow. She couldn't let them though. She could feel Hatori's protective eyes on her, and calmed slightly. He had said that he wouldn't let harm come to her…

"Tell me, girl!" Akito yelled angrily, stepping closer, now only a foot away.

Tohru closed her eyes for a moment. What did he want her to say? She opened her eyes and blinked a few times to get rid of brimming tears. Her voice was soft as she tried to show courage. "I, well, suppose the color of ugliness would be brown or maybe grey. Disgust and loathing w-would be black... Although not all things black are bad, sometimes they can be graceful," she told Akito. "B-But I wouldn't say heart-san has a color to itself. It changes with people from time to time…" Tohru watched as the said man in front of her took in the information. His face darkened.

"Black is not beautiful. It is dark. Evil. Nothing comes from black. Like tar it sticks to everything and pulls it in forever. Black is ugly, horrible, like you. Black describes your heart! You're selfish, keeping them all to yourself!" he snapped angrily, reaching down to grab her by the front of the shirt and yank her up, Tohru on her knees and letting out a whimper, closing her eyes, tears free-falling now.

Hatori moved quickly, eyes narrowing slightly as he went behind Akito to grab his wrists and pull them away from the girl's clothing. Tohru let out a gasp as she fell back onto her bottom, curling up with her knees to her chest. "Akito-sama," he said suddenly. "This is too much. You've strayed from the meaning of this visit." He had to try and keep his temper under control, since he obviously wasn't going to himself.

To Hatori's surprise Akito fell into his arms, a hand on his chest, causing the doctor to sink to the ground and hold the fragile god. "Perhaps," he said gently. "But I had good reason. I hate her. I hate everything about that black hearted girl." Black eyes flickered dangerously at Tohru, watching her recovering form. "I'm tired," he said with a sigh, voice soft once more. "I want to sleep now. But I can't, knowing she's stolen everyone away from me. Tonight I'll be restless because of her." With a sour face he snuggled into the arms of the doctor as he observed. "As for you, Tohru..."

Tohru stared at the head of the family, not saying a word. She didn't want him to touch her again, and anything she said, she knew he would find a reason to get angry with her again. She had a feeling what was coming next, and she had to stop it. Sure enough Akito skpoke.

"I won't allow you to take my Zodiac away from me. You can't have them! Hatori-san," he whispered, fingers clenching the fabric he'd been playing with. "Erase her memories. She shouldn't have them."

Tohru felt a lump in her throat form as Hatori looked down at the form he was embracing. "Akito-sama," he said gently. "I can't do that…"

"No," Tohru said suddenly, wiping tears from her cheek. She had felt her heart break, knowing she was going to forget everything. It had always been a possibility and now this was it. It was painful to swallow. She didn't want it to happen. She wanted to halt this entire thing. The faces of everyone came into her head. Akito, Yuki, Kyo, Shigure, Hatori, Ayame, Kagura, Momiji, Kisa, Hiro, Hatsaharu, Ritsu, even Rin; however the faces of Kyo and Yuki came clearest, as well as their words. Kyo-kun and Yuki-kun will always remember me, she told herself with a small smile. They had said they would. Even if they would, it would still hurt. Now both pairs of eyes were on her, and she let out a small sigh of pent up emotion. Before anyone could speak, she did. "I don't want Hatori-san to erase my memories. It would be horrible, since they make up who I am. I'd miss my friends. I'd regret forgetting them. Please, Akito-sama, I know you're not all bad. Isn't there, uh, isn't there…"

"Shut up," Akito interrupted firmly before she could say anything. He had been watching her closely. She seemed almost at peace with herself. It angered him. What did she have that he didn't, other than his family? His! It wasn't fair. He watched her smile, and he darkened, still quiet however. "I can't reconsider, I'm god. No one can change my mind but me," he whispered to her. "I need something that you'll feel pain with. You need to pay for what you've done." He closed his eyes.

Hatori stared at Tohru. Knowing Akito's eyes were closed he rose an eyebrow at her, and she nodded once back at her. She knew it would be hard for Hatori to erase her memories, but knowing she seemed to be okay with it eased his mind somewhat, though not by much. It felt like Kana all over again, although with a best friend instead of lover. This time however it would wreck more people than himself.

Akito opened his eyes and watched a tear-stained feminine face facing his. "Well," Akito said with a smile. "It's your lucky day. I've decided that I won't ease your memories. I saw that ugly smile of yours. If you're not going to forget, they will."

Tohru's heart stopped, and she put a hand against her chest. "What?" she said quietly back. Had she heard right?

Akito's lips curled upwards. He preferred she suffer worse than his Zodiac. "Hatori-san, you don't have to touch this filth." He felt Hatori's body tense further againt him. "Instead, I want you to erase my Zodiac's memories of this ugly girl."


Translations:

Ich habe dich vermisst: I've missed you
Auf wiedersehen: goodbye

Thank you for reading. R&R! -Makitog