And here's chapter 4. There will probably be a chapter a week, but I can't promise anything. Anyway, enjoy!

LINE BREAK

Previously:

Akito smiled as he imagined a very similar scene to what had just happened at Shigure's house, except with an added moment of Yuki snapping and stabbing Kyo with a kitchen knife. Oh, how he would love to see that for himself…but of course, the doctor would not let him leave the main house due to his condition. Such a pity really, but he convinced himself it wouldn't be long until the dragon was out of the way…

"Hmm…wonder if I can add a time limit to my little rat's quest?"

LINE BREAK

The next few days passed as a blur to the rat, and he even began to forget about his quest. Of course, the God of the zodiac wouldn't allow this, and another meeting was held between the two. What happened in this talk was much like the last, but with an added element Yuki would never forget…

Flashback

"My precious rat, it is so very unfortunate that you have not made a move yet on the dragon or cat. This was a very simple task…it seems I must complicate things if we are to get anywhere on this."

"I apologize, Akito-sama, but please – it has only been a few days! That isn't nearly enough time to-"

"Ahh, but it is more than enough time, it just seems you aren't willing enough. Very well. If you do not complete this within the next week, I'm afraid your precious Tohru will experience a little memory problem."

"A week?!? Akito-sama, I need at least two to complete this!"

"That attitude is precisely what gets you into so much trouble…very well. I will give you exactly 10 days, starting now. You know what will happen if you don't succeed.."

"…Alright, I will do it."

"Good…oh, and Yuki? Try not to dirty the doctor's office too much…I'll need it as a study."

End Flashback

And so the rat was left to his thoughts once again. He could see no way out of it, and soon was granted with endless dreams that night of Hatori, clutching at a wound in his chest as he fell, and Kyo, as the idiotic cat who was too late to see the knife fly at him. Through these gruesome dreams, he managed to develop a game-plan that would keep him from being discovered. Once the deed was done, he figured he could convince Akito to let him live out the rest of his days in seclusion. After all, wouldn't being alone to his suffering be the worst punishment?

His plan was perfectly laid out, he decided to put it into action the very next morning. After all, the sooner the better, right?

LINE BREAK

"Hatori, do you have a moment?"

"I suppose…why? Did someone get hurt again? I swear, I spend more time treating your group than I do anyone else anymore."

"Not this time…or, not yet, anyway. I was just wondering, is it just me, or is Akito acting a bit off lately?"

"Seriously, the man's on his deathbed. Of course he's acting a bit off."

"Ha'ri, you've been so harsh lately. Are you sure that's all?"

"No…no, I'm not sure. He has been acting a bit odd since his meeting with Yuki…speaking of which, is he doing alright?"

"I suppose…he's been a bit, shall I say, secluded since he got back. I fear something happened in that meeting, but he isn't willing to tell anyone what it was – not even Tohru."

"Interesting…"

"Just…watch yourself, Ha'ri. I fear something is at hand here."

"So do I, so do I…I'll talk to you soon, I have an appointment with Kisa soon – she caught some sort of cold."

"I see…well, I'll talk too you soon then, Hatori." 'Please take care…'

"I'm sure you will…you should be careful as well, Shigure."

"Oh, I will."

TO BE CONTINUED

I was just looking through the past chapters, and I realized I forgot to put a 'to be continued' on the previous one. Whoops! Ahh well, I think it was clear enough that I wasn't going to leave it like that…right? Right?!?

Ok, fine. Maybe not, but still! I'm not that mean! …I think.

Anyway, on another note, I have already started to write chapter 4 (and may I add, I'm really excited, since at this rate this story may be the first I have ever managed to finish!), so it will be up hopefully before next weekend. If it does, I might have 3 chapters up by the end of this week! Yay!!

One more thing, I was quite disappointed by the lack of reviews. I mean, I feel like this story will go far, but was I wrong? : - ( So please review! Even flames are welcome – I could use a nice hot fire what with how cold and rainy it's been where I live lately!

See you soon!