I'M BAAAAAACK! *cue confetti and pixie dust* Didya all miss me! Well, I finally found the time and motivation to write once again! It feels so good to be back!

THANK YOU ALL SOOO MUCH FOR KEEPING UP WITH THIS FANFICTION! I REALLY APPRECIATE EVERYTHING!

Please R&R! I'd really like it! And I have cake!

-MLB12


Chapter Seven: Yuki's Moment

The last time Haruhi had seen Akito was their first meeting, in which he slapped her and promised some type of revenge for learning of the Sohma curse. Both she as well as Tohru, Kyo, Yuki, and the other Sohmas were aware of this. What would happen between everyone? Would Akito act worse? Would he attack everyone at once? Haruhi could not imagine what was going to happen.

As everyone crowded into one long, sleek, stretch limo, Kyoya informed the driver of the address and they were off. Tohru was twirling her hair uncomfortably, while even Kyo was silent, his eyes locked on the floor in a scowl, his arms crossed. Haruhi could not knock that image of Yuki out of her head. He seemed to have had a pained expression on his face… Did Akito do something terrible to Yuki that left him scarred for life?

Haruhi suddenly remembered her mother, and the day she died. Then her mind travelled to the night at the beach with the Host Club. She locked herself in the armoire inside her bedroom, frozen in fear over that thunderstorm. The dark, cramped space was still vivid in her mind. But then Tamaki came. He soothed and relaxed her. He stayed with her and helped her. Something told Haruhi that Yuki needed someone other than Tohru to calm him in his pain. He needs another person to show that they care.

The car stopped in front of the massive Sohma estate, cherry blossoms in bloom by all of the trees. Everyone filed out, Haruhi last. Tamaki and Hunny seemed the most oblivious as to what was going on. Even Momiji remained silent as he walked behind Haru.

"So is this Akito in need of a host?" Tamaki's eyes sparkled as he bounded along the stone pathway, picking a small flower out of a nearby garden, "Because I'malways available!"

"Akito…isn't the type of young man who is interested in a host." Shigure replied as the blonde king huddled in an emo-corner, cultivating mushrooms yet again.

Haruhi stopped walking in order to catch up with Tohru, Yuki, and Kyo as they trailed behind.

"How do you think Akito will react to everyone?" she whispered. Akito may have not been a burden to Haruhi, but she does not know how the other hosts would react. She has experienced much more than any of those 'rich bastards' ever have.

"I don't know…" Tohru glanced down at the floor as they all stopped in front of the sliding doors leading into Akito's dojo.

"Let me talk to him first." Shigure glanced at everyone as he quietly opened the door and stepped through, it closing without a sound.

The four took seats on a bench and Haruhi noticed Kyo's hand was clasping Tohru's in means of comfort.

"The hosts, especially Tamaki, all have kind hearts." Tohru's big blue eyes glanced at Haruhi as she nodded.

Kyo started to shake, and then erupted into a laughing fit. "Yeah, like those shady bastard brothers actually care about everyone!" He then fell silent after remembering Akito shoving the two to the ground at their first meeting.

Yuki glanced at Kyo, as did everyone else, and he quieted down, a smirk prominent on his face.

"I'm afraid if Akito sees that and if he has the power to break them." Yuki whispered as Tohru nodded.

Haruhi's eyes narrowed. "Akito only believes in fear as his right of passage. The only way to make others do as he wants is to make them fear him." She saw Yuki cringe. Kyo remained quiet through this, remaining by Tohru's side for support only.

"Akito has pained many," Yuki glanced down and sighed, "he has never made them forget that they disobeyed him." He then looked down as his fists clenched into tiny balls. Tohru took this as her chance to give Yuki some time to explain his story to Haruhi; she noticed her questioning look. She and Kyo left and went to go stand by the others.

A few silent seconds elapsed and finally Haruhi spoke up. "Yuki…did Akito do anything to harm you?"

Said Sohma took a deep breath, his hair falling once again in his eyes. "I think that you would regret asking if I told you."

Haruhi glanced down. "Please…" She had to hear this.

Yuki sighed and began his tale, "Akito had complete control of me when I was a child. He would torture me repeatedly…tell me that I was the most hated of the Sohmas. That I was nothing without him." His hands began to shake. This was taking a toll on him. Haruhi gently clasped her hands into his, as he continued a bit shakily.

"I-I could see his point. Kyo…he blames me. Ayame abandoned me… Haru used to hate me… I felt as if I were unloved. Everyone ignored me. Akito…he would also lock me in a dark room and… and hit me. Beat me repeatedly."

Haruhi's eyes welled with tears as she listened to Yuki open that small box in the darkest places in his mind. She could hear his voice tremble…

"I told Tohru…I do not care for my personality…I morphed it into society's image and to please others… I-I understand if you learn to dislike me as well." Why would Yuki think that?

Haruhi stood up and kneeled down to see eye to eye with Yuki. He was pained. His eyes were emotionless. He was drained.

"Yuki, you please people because you are sweet, considerate, and you have a kind-heart. I don't care what others think, or others say about you. You are not hated. You are loved by so many! Think of those fan-clubs based on you! They all love you. Tohru is like your sister! Yuki, I am so glad I met you… You are unforgettable."

She noticed a small smile. She could tell Yuki was relieved that Haruhi was similar to Tohru…she understood. Her arms slowly found their way around Yuki's waist and the two had a sweet and tender embrace.

But all was interrupted when Shigure appeared outside the door, facing everyone.

"Akito is ready to see all of you."

A/N

Tamaki: MINNIE! YOU'RE BACK! *glomps*

Me: T-Tama...I'm gonna die..

Tamaki: *lets go* I'm sorry if my beauty was that blinding!

Kyo: ...bastard...

Tamaki: *GASP* How dare you! I was merely trying to welcome her back!

Me: ...

Kyo: Mhm...

Tamaki: *emo corner* P-please review...

Me: It's good to be back!