Well, here's the new update for "Beating Light in the Darkness". I leave a warning before you all read this. The "M" rating is there for a reason! Instead of doing a whole set of pages of what Akito did to Tohru, I'm condensing it into various flashbacks that she'll have as time goes on. There will be instances of torture and rape so if you do not wish to read this, do not go further.
A big thanks to my two first-ever reviewers, micahskitty and Archer-Black. It means so much to me
As the boys entered the room, they all noticed the audible change in her breathing, going from slow and agonized to quick and broken.
Hatori realized Kyo was ready to run to her and gripped his shoulder. "You have to go slow", Hatori whispered. "God knows what Akito's done to her and grabbing her like that could kill her. Stay calm, Kyo"
Kyo's head dropped as tears rained down, his shoulders shaking heavily.
Shigure took a breath and stepped past them and over to Tohru. It was then that the stench from the jars clustered around Tohru hit him. Dropping to his knees, he peered into the faded darkness to see their contents and froze, face drained of all color. "Ha…ri…", he whispered.
Hatori looked up and walked over slowly. Kneeling down he lifted a jar and nearly dropped it as he stared in horror at the tiny fetus crammed within the glass.
Kyo went to walk forward. "What is it, Hatori?", his voice tremored.
"Stay back, Kyo. Don't come near the jars."
Kyo froze at the tone in Hatori's voice and reluctantly stayed back.
Hatori stood slowly and walked around the six jars to where Tohru was. Kneeling down slowly, he reached out to her, only to be met with her body jerking weakly away from his touch, as if she feared he would burn her with his touch. Shigure cried quietly while Kyo's heart shattered at seeing the jerk.
"Shhh, Tohru, its alright. It's me, it's Hatori and Shigure and Kyo. Shhh, it's alright. We're here to take you home." He tried touching her shoulder and, finding she let him, he sighed in relief and moved a little closer. "Tohru…Tohru, look at me." When she gave no reply nor any movement, he lifted her head very slowly so that he could see her face. What he and the others saw chilled them to the bone.
Tohru's once smiling face was covered in scars and scabs. He lips were split open in various spots, and her nose was severely crooked. Dried blood matted her once beautiful hair. But, what scared them the most were her eyes. Their once turquoise color was now a faded grey without even a hint of the hue they had been. They held no shine to them and were filled with shadows.
Hatori's heart burst with grief as he ever so lightly stroked over her cheek. "It will be alright, dear Tohru. All is well now. Akito is dead and your suffering is ended." With that he gathered her into his arms and held her close, not allowing his mind to go over the fact she only weighed about 60 pounds. "Kyo, can you pull the chain from the wall?"
Wordless, Kyo walked up and after a few short tugs, managed to slide the pin out of the mortar that held the chain in place. Keeping his eyes off the jars as Hatori had asked, he reached towards Hatori. "Please", he whispered.
Hatori gently handed Tohru over to him.
Kyo held her tight against his chest, rocking ever so gently. "Shh, Tohru. It's me, it's Kyo. Oh God, Tohru, thank God I've found you. I love you so much." He continued to whisper to her and he kissed her forehead. Looking up to Hatori and Shigure, he nodded in thanks. Upon seeing their gentle nods, he whispered, "Let's get her home." And with that he stood.
"My babies."