Warning: This chapter is a little depressing... BUT don't worry it gets better later. Sorry about the wait though! I had to be sure everything was right. And sorry if it's a little short...

SPECIAL THANKS TO: Otaku Mom - Check out her stories! They provide inspiration for the mind... Seriously.

Disclaimer: I do not own Fruits Basket or the characters only my idea of this story, that's it!

Oh and I'm sorry, I just can't let the charaters come out before the chapter begins like previous times. Just not in depressing chapters. It doesn't feel right... lol. Enjoy!

I revised the chapter a little. I noticed that this was the unedited version, SORRY! Enjoy and chapter 5 is just being edited and revised! It should be out by the 19th!

Chapter Four

Kyo, Tohru, and Hatori entered the room slowly. Kyo licked his lips anxiously at the sight of Akito reclining comfortably on a gray futon. It was the first time he'd been in this room, apparently it was hers.

Akito's back was to the trio as she slowly sat up; her head inclined just so as she glanced back at them, a slight sneer marring her features. The raking intensity of her gaze from beneath her long, black dreadlocks stripped away all pretense and left nothing but stark fear in their eyes and on their faces. Kyo recognized this fact and shivered as a deep chill ran down his spine and he shut his eyes tightly. That's it… any hope I had just died. Akito may be able to read our expressions, but I can read hers, too. I don't have a chance in hell of remaining free.

Tohru's eyes flickered toward Akito as the Sohma head cleared her throat prior to speaking. The words were dark, chill ice, dripping with sarcasm.

"Tohru… Kyo, how nice to see you again." Akito stood and fixed her elegant piece of clothing before turning gracefully toward them.

Her words are smooth like silk or honey, but when she speaks, I-I feel like a cold slab of stone plunges into my chest. Tohru shuddered as Akito's dark eyes searched hers. Her eyes… she's already made up her mind.

Akito stared at Tohru for a moment as it was the God's turn to feel a sharp stab deep into her chest. Fear and jealousy raged through her, and she fought to control it. Later…I will deal with this later. Each word she finally spoke contained as much venom as she could muster. She desired to bring Tohru's hopes crashing down around her. Each word, drawn out and clearly spoken, hammered a nail into Kyo's cage.

"Kyo… Your time is up. Yuki remains unbeaten and unscathed. I'm sure you have said your 'good-byes'; now let's leave…"

Kyo looked toward Hatori, hoping the dragon might grant him reprieve, but it was a vain hope. Hatori only nodded slightly and refused to meet his gaze. Kyo turned to Tohru who was watching him with misty eyes. Tohru...He opened his mouth slightly. So much… so much he wanted to say and yet… and yet the words won't come. I-I have to go, He felt the bindings of his curse work through his blood as if a second being occupied his skin. It seemed as if against his will, he slowly stood and obediently crossed the room to where Akito stood.

Akito smirked as she watched her monster approach him. Fear apparent in his eyes. Never… NEVER again would he disobey, would he leave her side.

His eyes wide, Kyo bowed jerkily. "Yes… Akito." He stuttered, words as stiff as his bow, he glanced one last time in Hatori and Tohru's direction then walked out of the room on Akito's heels.

Tohru watched without speaking as they left the room. Suddenly her world was spinning and she had to lean forward so that she was on all fours, and shut her eyes tight. She felt like throwing up as tears trickled down her cheeks and strangled sobs left her throat. Why did I have to be here…why did Akito summon me? He didn't want to talk to me… he just wanted to take him away… we were so happy.

She heard movement behind her, and then Hatori's soothing voice. "Come, Tohru. It is time to leave."

Shaky breaths racked Tohru's frame as she sobbed "He's g-g-gone. K-k-kyo's gone. I—I can't stand it!"

Her feet left the floor suddenly, and she lay cradled against a broad chest, as Hatori picked her up carefully and carried her toward the entrance. He murmured soft reassurances trying not to hold her too close while she whimpered and cried into his white shirt. WHY?

Shigure and Yuki waited in the front garden and stood up quickly as she and Hatori emerged. She heard their footsteps running towards her.

Yuki approached first, his eyes wide with concern. "Is she hurt? What happened?"

Shigure arrived and laid a comforting hand on Tohru's shoulder. The young woman's face remained buried in Hatori's crook of his arm; muffled sobs and sniffles not yet abated.

Tohru felt vibrations run through his body as he replied. "No, Yuki. She is not hurt. Kyo is simply…" The sentence trailed off as he gazed at the still-crying girl in his arms.

"Let's go home." She heard Shigure's comforting voice.

Hatori nodded and Yuki followed close behind. Five people had left their house to come to Akito's. They had walked to prolong what little time was left. Now four walked out of the front gate; only four returned home.

Kyo looked out on the courtyard surrounding the Cat's House. He gripped the bars with both hands and closed his eyes trying to imagine what his life would be like right now, if he was not the cat of the Zodiac…if he was not even a part of the Zodiac. Shut-up! If I wasn't like this, Tohru and I would not have met. Tohru… He winced in pain. I love her…so much, but she's in pain… maybe it would have been best if… No! Stop thinking like this! What's done is done. Her and Master were… her and master are the best things in my life. The best thing that ever happened to me…

Akito's cutting words still echoed throughout his soul. He leaned his forehead against the cold metal and fought to forget the hurtful words.

Akito's soft silky voice continued to whisper , ignoring his mental protests "Surely, Kyo, you knew this day would come. Why the long face? You can tell me. Am I not merciful to allow you to live with your memories?"

Sarcasm laced with disgust and dark humor raced rampant about his prison, "Your relationship is forever lost. The cat is not meant to be loved! You're a monster! Your true form declares you one, and so you are. A monster cannot love. Therefore the so-called 'bond' you shared with 'Tohru' is ridiculous, fake, and untrue."

As the words echoed in his memory, sarcasm escalated to vitriol and Akito's final spitting words cut like knives. "Do you know why I allowed this time to pass? Because I knew it would hurt more…after experiencing love. It hurts when someone you love is taken away from you. You and that stupid girl did that to me! You drew away my juunishi! You seduced them into loving you and believing things were changing… in believing that someone actually understood!"

Kyo shook his head, desperate... desperate for the whispering voice to stop; to leave him in peace. He stumbled back from the light and crawled into the dark where he lay; lay waiting…waiting for death, the only means to obtaining a peaceful life.