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Part I Chapter III

September 23, 1909

She couldn't control that rage. It was too much, to lose like this. Everything was so perfect, so close, yet Akito managed to break it. She was back on square one. If she doesn't think of anything soon, she might as well give the rightful marchioness position back to Akito. And no fucking way was she going to do that. Akito didn't deserve it; she was just a little brat, playing the mistress. It was suppose to be her. Not Akito. She would take her revenge; she vowed that even to death she would not give up. She just needed a good plan, one that could lure Akito in. What could she propose though?

Ren was pacing around her room frantically. She was aware if anyone came in, she would probably look like some mad woman. Her footsteps thumped in a regular tempo, scraping the tatami mats to nothing. Her lips kept moving, like enchanting some spell. Her eyes were bloodshot. Her whole body racked with madness, and a dangerous anger.

When Shigure went to her room two nights ago, all he did was sighed, and cursed Akito. He promised that everything would be alright; he would do something about it. But Ren didn't' want that. She didn't want some stupid empty promise that he wasn't going to fulfill. Heck, when was the first time when he started mentioning about that? A few years ago? She just refused it to fool everyone, thinking that she is a good honest woman. And she didn't have a very good excuse at that time. But if this goes on, she would see the death of Shigure before her marriage. Akito would then take her position, and destroy her.

What would Akito be willing to have, something so great that she would submit before Ren? Her hands wringing, trying to think of something that was actually a good enough bait. Ren had already worked on it for almost two days now. She had refused anyone, and kept herself locked inside her stuffy room to think. She couldn't stand it. Why can't Akito just give up? Akito should know that she could never win. Shigure would never love her back.

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September 25, 1909

"What are you doing here?" Akito's sharp voice whipped at the figure that stood by the door. "Is there something that you want? Or do you just want to give up, realizing that you could never win. If you do, I can guarantee you a life with no pain, with wealth, and power."Ren smirked.

"Isn't that basically describing your position? So you're wiling to give it up, if I give up fighting with you. I'd never thought that it was going to be this easy. Nobody would've thought that the honourable Lady Akito would give everything to a kitchen maid this easily. You should've said that earlier. Saves us a lot, you know." This was fun, stirring up the devil inside her. It was working at least, which was good for both her plan and to just watch Akito lose all her dignity.

"Shut up, you bitch! You don't deserve anything that you have today! It was all granted by him. And it was only because you behaved like a whore. You slut, get out of here now. And you most certainly do not deserve…deserve…the…place of…Marchioness." She was running out of breath, and didn't want to talk for any longer. How dare that bitch come in, how dare she! She is nothing but a worthless slut, which made her deprived of her position.

"Oh really, we'll see then. But I'm not here to argue with you. How would you like to make a bet?" Akito was silent. What type of bet would it be? To see who could seduce Shigure first? And how will it be to her advantage. She sat back down calmly, waiting for Ren to continue.

"Anyways, since you think of yourself so worthy, I think I will give you a chance. All you have to do is to prevent Shigure from finding any new mistresses for a year. He can continue meeting with old ones, and keeping females for his own purposes. Just not announcing them as his mistress. If you succeed, I will take my kids, and stop pestering you." Ren gave a calculating look to Akito. That woman betrayed nothing.

"Fine plan, but what if I lose. I don't think that you're going to make a plan without gaining something." She narrowed her eyes, wondering what the next words were going to be. There was always a price to pay when exchanging with Ren.

"Of course you have to pay something. Your position. If I win, you have to give up of being Marchioness, and his wife. You will personally declare the marriage is not valid, and tell that I should be the lawful wife of Shigure. You will take your children, and leave the Sohma's forever. And oh, you would have to bow before me, acknowledging that I am indeed Marchioness."

"Interesting plan. I will consider it. Please leave now." Ren slipped from the room, and Akito was now thinking about this plan.

It's certainly most masterful. Either way she is confident that she will win. If Akito does accept the bet, it isn't hard for Ren to encourage him to take in lots more woman. She would probably also tell him to allow them to become his mistresses so that he would not insult them. And if Akito does win, she would just cook up some damn plot, saying that she did give him two sons. She has the winning card in her hand.

However, if Akito doesn't accept the bet, she couldn't even buy time on her side. Ren would just whine, or force Shigure to force her to sign the papers. It was easy, since everyone is on her side. That little bitch, she laid out all the traps so beautifully, so invitingly, that it was almost real. If it was anyone else but Akito, they would've accepted already. She needs a back up plan, and fast.

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October 2, 1909

Nanoko was bored. There was nothing to do at the compound right now. Ren was brooding in her room for three days now, and Akito was often hidden at a corner. Walking in one of the gardens might help her. Last time when she did that though, she'd encountered Akito, and it was almost unreal. Her dignity, with her supreme power to be so cruel and nice at the same time, was creepy. Who knows what might happen this time.

As she was walking down the lane and singing at the same time, towards a pond, someone stopped her. She'd stared, finding that it was Shigure himself. She'd quickly curtsied, and then had her head down as if in shame. And indeed she was. Or more like embarrassment. Having the head of the Sohmas listening to her sing, thinking that there was no one at the garden. Who knows if she made a total fool of herself?

"That was wonderful. Why'd you stopped? Continue." He spoke a short crisp command, but he was smiling. A genuine smile, unlike her mistresses. Such a charming smile as well. Nanoko suddenly felt free, lighter, and more at ease. He was such a handsome man. No wonder every girl that had a chance would fall for him, and become his mistress right away. Even if shaming themselves, they at least would have someone kind look after them.

"Oh, I'm not talented, not at all. Your praise should be showered somewhere else." And she did mean it. As much as it was exciting to have someone like Sohma Shigure pay attention to you, she didn't need anymore enemies. Ren hates her, and Akito is more or less detached with her. If she ever grabbed that chance, both of them might join forces and destroy her. No way was she ever going to survive that. Besides, she'd already heard from rumours that Shigure plans to make Ren his new wife.

"When I say someone is, that person is, Nanoko-chan. You are talented, not to mention beautiful. Your singing can soothe anyone." She'd gasp in surprise. How did he know her name? It's not like that they even interacted before. Nanoko immediately dropped to the ground, eyes glued to the pavement.

"Nanoko-chan is also very cute when she is surprised. Your face is all pale, yet your cheeks are flushed. You look like a rose." He'd smiled, and motioned that she should sing.

Having no choice, she stood up and started.

At first, it seems awkward, having someone watching you like that. But she decided that if someone was going to look at her, she might as well make the best of it. So she started to relax, singing more loudly and freely. A song was finished, and she'd continued. By the sixth song, she felt as if she had been transported to another world.

Shigure smirked. Finally he'd had some entertainment. Ren had closed her doors, and he was lonely. Even Akito wasn't complaining to him. He'd realized that he'd might as well find someone to mess around with. And this Nanoko is pretty. Maybe he'll take her as a mistress as well. He'll play with her for awhile, nothing serious, and then send her off to a good marriage. He'd needed more time to goof around anyways. Between listening to Ren complain, trying plot, and hearing more complaints of Akito, he needed some time for himself. Those two were so wrapped up in the business of who should be Marchioness, he'd felt that it was more for them than for him.

It was almost the end of another song; he'd better start clapping again. Putting on a mask, he'd smiled and complimented her once again, on her hair this time. She was blushing, like a rose. But its not going to secure him, he knew that. If he wanted someone who was this vain, he could've gone to the whorehouse. It was fun to mess with her though.

"You've sang so much songs, you must be tired. Come sit. We could talk." She'd smiled, and walked over right away. Like a little puppy on a string.

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Akito was watching the exchange behind one bush. Gosh, was he ever going to stop playing like a butterfly? It took all her willpower to not go out at slap that girl. What was her name again? Oh yeah, that Nanoko. The one that brought her the worst news possible. That wrench.

Praise the lord that she didn't make the bet. If she had agreed, she would be wasting so much time right now to eliminate that girl. That little ninny, pretending to be like a fool, but not knowing that she was the actual fool. Maybe she could use this relationship to her advantage. After all, Ren didn't say anything about on how to prevent him from getting any more mistresses. If Ren says it's fine to do whatever you want, then she would welcome her husband's flirting anytime. Let him flirt all he wants.

Smiling, she decided to slip away to ask Ren something.

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"Let me see Ren." It wasn't a statement, it was a command. Her voice was flat, her eyes were hard. She would take no arguments, or no from those stupid maids.

All the maids were in a very dangerous position. If they let the Lady Akito in, Ren would scream at them for not obeying her orders. On the other hand, if they didn't, they were going to face the full wrath. Akito is the woman that rules everything inside this household, and only Shigure could oppose her. And none of them would think that he was going to cause any more storms for the sake of them.

"I'm sorry, but Ren-sama had ordered that no one could disturb her…" One of the maids stepped up, stammering, and Akito promptly smacked her across the face. She didn't dare say anything, but slipped back while bowing.

"Have none of you learned anything? Or you too stupid? I command you to open the door. I want to see Ren." She repeated her statement, but her eyes were now burning with fire. Her lips were drawing blood, her knuckles white. She couldn't stand it much longer.

"But…" Another decided to try again, and got thrown towards a corner. Akito was raging mad, walking towards that girl to beat her up. All the maids leapt forward to control the Lady Akito.

Suddenly, the door gently rolled open. A sloppily dressed Ren was standing relaxed, almost bored against the door. All the hitting stopped, and the maids dropped down to the floor. Akito stared at her, but she didn't faze.

"What is happening?" She questioned one of her maids, like she isn't going to take anything of stupidity either. One told her what happened, and she slapped her as well.

"Don't you guys know what position Akito is in? Let her in at once. Are you too stupid to understand exceptions in the rules?" She motioned Akito in, while Akito gave the maids one last frosty look before entering.

"So, why are you here? I don't think you're here to admit defeat, are you? Or did you finally realize that there is no point in keeping him, since you never deserved him? Did you know that?" She was about to cackle in a laugh, but Akito cut her short.

"Shut up, I'm not here to listen to you being insane. I'm here to ask you a question about the bet." Her face was black with fury, while Ren's was amused. Ren walked towards her seat slowly, to tease Akito and play with her. When she finally sat down, Akito asked her.

"Am I allowed to do anything to prevent him from getting a mistress?" Ren nodded.

"Good, then consider it a deal. I'm going to make the bet with you." They shook hands, and smiled slyly and cunningly at each other.

The game was on.

Author's Notes

Now things are really starting to get more exciting. I've been really itching to write out the whole bet thing, so sorry if it seems so rushed or unlike Fruits Basket people. Sorry.

And for people acting weird, Akito and Ren have a purpose, for obvious reasons. That OC that I've created, Nanoko, is just well, a more simplier person. She isn't a total fool, but you can't give her an award for being Enstien either. Shigure, well, he's probably weird, so sorry. I'm not use to writing people flirt. For some reason, I feel so wrong...

If any of you people hate Shigure out there, then look out for next chapter. He will get what he deserves, through the bet. Same with Ren.

Thanks for reading, feel free to ask any questions/ say anything, and please review.