AN: Okay, so finally I've posted the next chapter to BOTH - and I'm glad it's finally there, because it took me ages to hand write then type up (i kinda did it during revisions sesions)

Summary:

"I stood there, frozen and scared stiff about what was happening to me... to us... a hand around my throat... a dagger brandished at the others... my brothers trying to free me... a life about to end... The croud watching just didn't understand, couldn'tunderstand how I saw these events... That I didn't see him as a monster..." Akira Sohma, the Bird of the zodiac knew there was a connection between her and the 'god', Akito (male) from the moment she met him... But when that bond gets in the way of her family, and fellow Juiinishi's feeling to her, will she be able to carry on competing to love, and hope... or will she be swallowed by everyone else's feelings... "This is my story..."

I sat there on my own, and knew I was alone... hope was gone... but could he bring it back...?

Okay, I can promise you now that some of the Juunishi that we all love are coming back next chapter so - yay!

And, like always a long chapter - I'M SO SORRY!!!!!!!! ^_^

Ermm... oh yeah, while i was writing this fanfic I also posted another couple of stories - "The events of Haruhi Suzumiya; revised", a haruhi fanfiction, and two furuba ones; "Hatsuyuki Shinerera" and "Yokoshima Mitsukai", both Yuki based fan fics.

As always, please read, review and enjoy.

Kaytii/

DISCLAIMER: Unfortunatly my MUM found my plans to rule the world engraved on a melting chocolate bar and chucked them away, so while I rewrite them on something less... delisious, I still don't own fruits basket!

Blood ontheir Hands…

The darkness of Youth: A Darker World Part 2

It was the middle of the day in this dream… which was strange in itself.

Never before had I dreamed of light, and hope… it had to be too good to be true…

And it was

"Do you like this new world I have been creating, just for you…?" The Voice whispered seductively behind me as the skies darkened and trees rose out from the ground. No… they weren't trees… they were barsPRISON bars… cage bars…

"No… let me out of here!" I began to run away, but just as I reached the borders of the cage, the manifested hand grasped my shoulder roughly and shoved me cruelly down onto the now concrete floor. "Please…"

As I whispered the last word, the darkness fully consumed the world that had been there before… a world, that for a minute, I had hoped was the real one…

"What is the meaning of all of this Voice?" I whispered as the Voice's laughs echoed around the cell, consuming all the silence and banishing it, leaving an eerie quiet scream in its place. "W… where… where am I?"

I couldn't bear to look at this place anymore; it was killing me to see so much terror… But closing my eyes didn't help; it just meant that I could hear that eerie shriek even clearer… a scream that I knew would be mine if I weren't careful…

"Are you scared little Akira…? Such a pity… are you really telling me that you don't recognise this place… you don't recognise that place where you found…"

"NO!" I screamed, almost completely drowning out the rest of her sentence – almost. I still had to hear the Voices poisonous words… and I couldn't stand it!

Why could I just be left alone?

"Do you really want me to leave you alone Akira…? Alone here with no means of escape…? Alone to die…?"

The Voice knows damn well that that was not what I meant. I didn't want to be left alone here… just in my own world…

"But you know why I can't let you go, don't you little Akira…? Because then I'd be stuck here alone… and besides, where would I be entertained?"

"Stop… stop screwing around with me…" I pleaded with the Voice, but it just laughed at me.

"Ah… spoilsport… I enjoy 'screwing' around with you… you are so… resilient… It is so… refreshing from all those other pathetic Tori's minds that I've taken over… maybe it's because you're so close to him…"

"Leave him out of this!" I never mentioned anything about the other world in this place of nightmares, in fear that anything I said would be used against me, but still… that Voice always knew exactly what to say to crush my spirits...

"Why…? Life is a lot more fun this way…"

"You're SICK, you know that?" I screamed at the Voice, rage fuelling my voice.

"And soon, little Akira, you'll be out of my way, with all you memories tucked away at my disposal…"

"No! I won't let it happen…" I could feel myself weakening already in this stupid body in this nightmarish world… "No… He… he…"

"Poor you!" The Voice sneered coming closer to me and putting the invisible arm with that creepy hand around me tightly, holding me close to it. "But don't worry little Akira… Even when the world looks bleak, and in despair, and you wish that you were dead; I won't abandon you, even though I'm planning all this. You'll always have me…"

"Maybe I… maybe I don't want you…" I whispered, and we both knew it to be true.

*slap*

I let my hand rise to where the blood was rushing to my cheek; where the Voice had just slapped me – hard. I could feel the tears forming in my eyes, trying to break free and struggle down my face, but I wouldn't let them; I couldn't show any weaknesses in this place – ever… It was exactly what she was looking for…

"Don't talk like that here! You have no right to say things like that in this place – in my place!" The Voice shrieked furiously at me, and I couldn't help but shiver in fear for a brief moment, as the dream world turned colder and faded away into blackness, leaving me alone…

All alone…

Then there was a light, just a faint one – but enough of a light for me to crawl out of my slumber…

"Remember, I will be with you wherever you are…"

I woke up to find myself still in that music room, a room that was now destroyed. Quickly, I tried to stand up, to get away from this place… but I couldn't. Maybe it was the cuts and bruises that I could feel all over me… or the hand placed upon my shoulder, keeping me down firmly… and yet not harshly… a hand I believed to be a friend, and not a hindrance…

"Ssssh stay down… you don't want to hurt yourself now child, do you…?"

I opened my eyes again, wearily this time, and saw the German teacher from before standing there, looking down upon me with concern.

"Fraulein Sohma…? Here, come on, let's sit you on this chair now…" She asked as she slowly helped me up, and sat me upon a chair. "How did this happen…? Who caused you these injuries…? … Was it Fraulein Kenta…?"

How could she know, so easily, without any proof?

Did this mean that Naomi had done this to others as well as to me…?

And if she did, and the teachers knew, then why did she stay in this school…?

But I couldn't tell anyone about what Naomi had been doing – I knew well enough by now how bully's work and that it would give me more trouble… and I was going to ignore all of that trouble if I could…

… And ignore Naomi as well…

… Because if I didn't, then life would get much, much worse… here, at school at least…

"It is nothing Sensei… Nothing I can't deal with anyway…" I smiled weakly up at her, knowing that it didn't matter if she believed me or not – because either way, she couldn't do anything about it… just because I had said that I was fine.

"Very well…" She looked troubled, and I really couldn't blame her to be honest… but I couldn't let myself get swamped by those emotions either… "What class do you have next? I'll take you there so that you don't get into any more… trouble… but would you like to go to the nurse first so she can have a look at your wounds…? You may have concussion…"

No matter how much I wanted to go to the nurse, and be sent home early I knew I couldn't; because then Naomi would just be crueler when I returned to the school…

… Or she would take it out on the other students…

I couldn't let that happen.

"N… no it's fine Sensei… There is a doctor in the main estate… I'll just get the car to bring me there first when I'm being collected from school by whoever's signing my forms… I don't want to trouble anyone just because I have a few scratches…"

And I really didn't… I really didn't want to rely on anyone else… it makes me feel completely useless to rely on others… useless and pathetic…

"Then let's take you to your next class…" She smiled gently as she helped me up off the chair and guided me gently through the corridors, to a bigger music room a few minutes away. The journey was one in silence, and as the German teacher helped me limp over to the other music rooms, I felt everything within me get heavier, and again I felt like running away… Why did this school and that girl make me wish I was at the other end of the world…? I had never felt this urgent need to flee before… It was like the whole school was a forest… a forest on fire

"Herr Johnston, I have just been speaking with Fraulein Sohma. Please excuse her lateness." As I entered the classroom it seemed just like all the other classes, but I also noticed those subtle factors in it that kind of made the room seem that little bit unnatural… Like the groupings. There was a distinct divide between the class. On one side, the side nearest the window were all the 'popular' rich students, the students who had come here due to the influence of their famous families; the Kenta's, the Daiki's, the Jirou's, and even a few Sohma's sometimes. In other words, the ones who weren't necessarily clever, but graduated through life because of the size of their wallets – and were therefore generally bullies towards the other half of the class.

The other half of the class – well they really were the cleaver ones who got into the school due to their smarts – and were only there to keep the school's average up. It was always these students who were picked on, and laughed at, and isolated from the rest of the class – not due to how cleaver they were, but due to their wealth. It was pathetic to see a system such as this in a school!

"That's fine, come on Sohma-kun… just take a seat down there, I'm sure you'll catch up with the lesson." I snapped out of my thoughts as he spoke directly to me for the first time. The music teacher must have been in his mid thirties, with a slightly melodic voice that gave away the fact he had once dreamed of being a singer. He may not have been handsome, but there was a sparkle in his eye that made people automatically listen to him – and I could tell that no one gave him trouble in this class, at least.

As I sat down I noticed that Naomi was at the other end of the room, glaring poisonously at me, obviously displeased that I was still conscious, and attending the one subject that I was best at – a subject I might outshine her at again… well… if I sung I would… and I had no intention of singing in front of a group of this size – I mean until then I had never sang in front of any9one other than a few members of my close 'insider' family!

I sat in silence as one by one the teacher called out each student to perform, until it was Naomi's turn. Each student had brought an instrument with them, but when Naomi came up with just her voice, I was surprised to hear the suppressed groans from those around us, giving away the fact that they were dreading her latest performance… was she really that bad…?

As she opened her mouth, I realised why everyone was groaning, and I felt like covering my own ears in agony – her voice was terrible! She had no nerves whatsoever as she began to sing a song that should have been beautiful and melodic and now was completely destroyed. I would now never be able to listen to that song without being reminded of that rendition that I heard today…

You could tell by looking at her that she was fantasising about making a career of singing… but I highly doubted that all the fortunes and influences in the world would make up for that… voice she possessed. It was… scary… to put it mildly… and everyone else seemed to think so, even her closest friends, most of which were looking at Naomi with more of a grimes than an admiring smile, with headphones in their ears that barely even drowned out her dulcet tones.

As her song concluded and she sat down, there was a general round of applause, but no one cheered to her performance at all, or congratulated her as she bowed to an invisible admiring audience and returned to her place.

"Well, if that's everyone then shall we call it a day?" The teacher asked in a monotone as Naomi finally sat down, oblivious to what the others thought of her… talents… "Okay, homework everyone… I want you to…"

"Sensei…?" Naomi's voice suddenly cropped up, and she instantly had everyone's attention – including mine… unfortunately… "You have forgotten my… charge… Shouldn't she get a turn at performing? I hear she can sing like… like a bird…"

How could she be so accurate in her insults, and yet know nothing…?

Her cool cutting remarks I could tell now, would hurt me far more than any physical harm to me… and I believe that after years of bullying she had realised that too – even if it were just so that no evidence could be proved about her actions towards her victims…

"Another singer eh?" I could see the immediate apprehension in the teacher's eyes crop up, and I knew instantly that he feared I would be another "Naomi" voice alike… which I certainly wasn't… Even if I do say so myself… "Well, I suppose I'll just have to invite you to sing… if that is what you wish for Sohma-kun… Will you need an accompaniment for your song or shall you sing acapella today?"

"Umm…" I hadn't thought about that… because I hadn't thought that I would have to perform on my first day at a new school… on a day when I hadn't even known that I would have a music lesson… After all, I hadn't got a backing track or any sheet music prepared for a performance… so I would just have to sing on my own… acapella… If I could muster up the courage… "I… I'll sing acapella… if that's okay… Sensei…"

As I nervously stood up shaking and walked slowly and steadily up to the podium I was absolutely terrified; I felt as if every glance or snicker was directed straight at me… and I could do nothing about it without getting even more attention. All I could do to get out of this situation was calm down my nerves and sing with all my heart…

… But my throat was dry… and I couldn't make a sound… I couldn't sing…

I began to panic…

But…

… This is exactly what Naomi Kenta had wanted; for me to be embarrassed in front of what would have been my favourite class and transferred to someplace where she couldn't be outshined… not that it would have been hard to outshine her…

So I decided to sing a song I knew the best… a song that wouldn't show off too much, but would be enough for them all to realise that I could sing… at least a little…

"I feel the world waiting for me…

Sinking through the darkness…

Hope and love are always there…

But why do they hide from me…?

Why am I always left alone…?"

As I broke off from the traditional lyrics and went into the improvisation section, the audience seemed to go wild. Everywhere I looked there were people gazing admiringly at me… well… everywhere I looked… I didn't look to the side of the class where Naomi resided… As the song ended I broke off shyly, looking nervously for the reaction of my classmates…

… And there was uproar… a good uproar! I smiled gratefully as the class broke out into rounds of applause… well… nearly all of them…

"Thank you Sohma-kun for performing for us… I must say I was exceedingly surprised when I heard you… well done…"

I sat down embarrassed as the people around me patted my back and smiled at me. Maybe I could make friends with 'outsiders'…

I sat in silence for the remainder of the lesson, humming to myself as I copied down the notes off the board, and filled in my planner neatly, waiting for the class to end… and dreading what would happen when it did…

As the school bell rang loudly throughout the building I waited in silence while all of the students filed out of the classroom in small groups, not bothering to be discrete as they stared openly at me, the boys wondering who this mysterious girl was who could sing the best in the class, and some of the girls, especially Naomi Kenta and her group of rich snobs, gave me poisonous glares, trying to scare me while being envious of me at the same time…

I, myself were thinking about, at times like these, how much I loathed being possessed by the sweet-voiced songbird… but I knew that there was no point in dwelling over things that would never have the slightest hope in changing and so I sat at the piano when everyone had left and began to play a little to myself. Admittedly, although none of the school piano's were anywhere near as good as the grand piano that was at the main house which I used when playing, but the tone was good enough for the piano to make the melodies sound tuneful, even if they did not have the same mystical tones as the sound of my own piano. As I absorbed myself into the music, I started playing a few scales before getting impatient and quickly switching to play some of the tunes I had easily learned by memory as a child.

As I began the repertoire I had learnt for years and thought painstakingly simple I heard the teacher pause in his packing up to listen to my playing.

Never before had I played to an audience – sure, I had sung at the main estate a few times on special occasions, but I had always kept my other musical abilities a secret from all but Akito and my little brother… But now, playing in front of this musical expert, I suddenly felt a rush of confidence flow through m as I continued to play the tunes I loved so much. As the last notes of the latest song faded throughout the room and I stood up from the piano to leave, the music teacher spoke to me.

"Sohma-kun?" He called to me and I turned around to see him staring in admiration at the piano, and the music that had just come out of it. "May I ask who your piano teacher is? Such an expert teacher would be well off if he or she joined the school as a private teacher."

"Oh…" How could I tell him that I had always taught myself? I mean… I didn't want to sound conceited or anything… "Well… Sensei… I… I kind of taught myself… The head of my family never deemed it necessary to provide me with a tutor at the rate I was leaning… he thought it would be too… restricting for me to have a set tutor… I'm sorry I couldn't be of more use Sensei…"

"Nonsense, child. If you have learnt to master that instrument on your own then you will have a fruitful career in music, should that be your wish… but I suppose you would take a more academic career in the future though, wouldn't you… I mean… due to your entrance exam results and being a 'Sohma' and all of that…"

"No Sensei," I corrected him, exceedingly pleased that he thought highly of my skills, but insulted, that again someone was judging me, and my future plans based on my surname, and not what I really was… "I have never thought about following an academic career… I love music too much! It seems now to be my entire life… singing… and playing… and performing… It is one of my greatest wishes to master as many musical instruments as I can… And hopefully, in a school environment I will be exposed to many more than if I was just on my own in the Sohma estate…"

"Well then I wish you good luck in your pursuit, Sohma-kun. If you ever want access to any of the schools music rooms, just find me. However, now I need to head off home to my family. If you'll excuse me, I'll need to lock up the room. Are you catching a bus or getting a lift Sohma-kun?"

I thought for a moment, and then remembered that Hoshi would be coming in to fill out my forms with a relative. "I believe I am getting a lift Sensei, when someone comes to complete my enrolment forms."

"Very well Sohma-kun, goodbye."

"Goodbye Sensei." I replied as he turned left to the car park and I tuned right to the top playground, where Hoshi had said she'd meet me…

… And where Naomi and her cronies were lying in wait for me. Apparently they hadn't got bored of waiting for my while I was in the music room, and had meant full well that I was going to pay for talking back to them…

Help

Trying not to look at either Naomi or her cronies I walked silently through the playground, and for a moment, when I was near to the gate, I thought that they actually might leave me alone…

… But I had thought too soon, unfortunately…

"Hey! Sohma! Are you ignoring us?" Naomi's false high voice carried easily across the playground, and froze me solid where I stood, terrified about what was going to happen to me. "Come over here now and help us understand something!"

I couldn't help but take a step away from them – I was terrified that they would kill me… but of course, it was the wrong thing to do – just like all the options I always chose…

Instantly I felt two rough, manicured pairs of hands upon my shoulders, dragging me back quickly across the schoolyard to where Naomi was leaning casually against a wall, a menacing gleam in her cruel eyes as she saw me struggle fruitlessly

"So, Akira-kohai…" She began, circling me like she was a bird of prey, and I was her next meal… "You kept us waiting. I thought you were never going to leave that stupid room with witnesses in it…"

She came in close to me and slapped me lightly, causing me to flinch and fall back slightly into the arms that were holding me firmly, arms there to make sure that I didn't, and couldn't escape.

"How rude to keep me, a Kenta waiting." What was she implying there? Everyone knew that although the Kenta's were one of the most revered and feared families in Japan, they were nothing compared to the worldwide influence that the Sohma's possessed… So why was she acting as if she were the queen-bee of the world, at the top of the schools ranking system…?

"I suppose you don't know about my own position in the Kenta's do you? I am the only niece of the head of the Kenta family. You can't get a much higher position than that in Japan, can you? Just because you are a high ranking Sohma doesn't mean you surpass me, does it?"

She came in again and shoved me harder this time, forcing me against the wall, kicking me…

I don't remember much of the time she let her fury out on me – I tried to draw my mind away from it all and concentrate on those little insignificant things that were occurring while I was in agony, like the way the other Sohma's in Naomi's group were looking uncomfortable, and… scared that they would be the first ones to receive punishment from the head of their family – the one person everyone in our family feared, even if it was only a little for some of them.

But the thing I remember the most were the words she said; the words that had most likely come from the gossip the Sohma's spread throughout the estate – words about Akito and me that weren't true. Just because they didn't know that we shared a father… not even Yuki did, so they made assumptions… assumptions that were not true

… But when did that ever matter when it came to gossip? The more vindictive it was, the more fun it was to spread about… even when the parties involved got hurt…

"You don't even deserve your position in your family, not like I do. My high position comes from a hereditary background! And where does your position come from? Sucking up to the head of your family! And doing everything he wants…"

I knew the words were untrue, and I could stop all the accusations easily; but I didn't have the time to. I could feel my heart beat racing and my asthma beginning to play up, and as I breathed deeply I struggled to retain my human form – if I didn't, I'd be even more vulnerable to the asthma… and to their attacks…

Why did everyone who didn't know the truth always assume that Akito and I were… I dunno really… like together together…? I could even see the assumptions in my brothers' eyes, because 'why else would I put up with the crazy head of our family'? Yes, I loved Akito Sohma – but as a family love, not a romantic love! He was my brother and best friend, and no one had ever seen us as anything else, so why did they have to make up a situation to explain my devotion to him – especially one as crazy as that!

As the onslaught continued I blocked my ears and eyes to it all, and concentrated on other things. But no matter how much I tried to drown that specific thought out of my mind, it kept creeping back in, stronger each time…

-'Why does she sound just like the Voice…? Could—'-

I couldn't let myself think things like this – it wouldn't help me get out of this situation if I gave into the darkness inside me… I had to keep fighting it… I had to…

And then, suddenly, as soon as I decided to keep fighting back, Naomi's onslaught stopped. Wearily I opened my eyes slightly, to see what had caused her to stop, I saw the one person I had least expected to see coming up towards us… As my eyes widened in shock at what I saw behind her, Naomi smiled cruelly, thinking that I was afraid of her. But the smile soon froze on her face as she realised that someone was standing directly behind her, a person who had a bigger aura of power that she would ever have – and a person who was absolutely furious at what he saw…

"Get off her you imprudent bitch…" He whispered menacingly into her ear, and even though she shuddered at the sound of his cold voice, like all did when they first heard it, her complete ignorance for the Sohma workings, and her 'high and mighty' opinion of herself caused her to make the mistake of talking back to him – to insulting him…

"Who are you to tell me what to do? Do you realise who I am?" She tried to turn around and confront him openly, but the hand that now resided on her cheek stopped her from seeing who was behind her – and fear started to creep into her eyes, for what seemed like the first time ever

"Of course I do Naomi Kenta – I have had a lot of dealings with your father and Uncle over the years, but it seems they haven't told you all about me… Do you know who I reallyam?" He smirked, but it wasn't his usual warm smile… it was his cold, calculating smile, a smile he reserved only for when we was really pissed off… Not just his normal anger either, which everyone was used to… this anger was different, more powerful… controlled and if Akito knew what he was doing when in a mood like this… then I would feel sorry for whoever was on the receiving end of his temper, but at the same time be eternally grateful that it wasn't me on the receiving end of his anger.

"I… I… I'm… I'm…" She stuttered for a moment, and I could now see clearly the fear that resided in her face, and the paleness of her tanned skin in comparison to her fake blond hair…

"Akira-chan…?" Akito turned to me now, his eyes softening as his gaze rested upon mine, but his face was still hard, and his voice was strained; I could tell that he was trying his hardest to keep his temper reigned in, so as not to cause a scene in front of others who didn't know about his lack of self control… "Would you please care to introduce myself and this Kenta girl, seeing as you seem to be more acquainted with her than I am personally?"

"Of course Akito-sama, it would be my absolute pleasure…" I referred to him like that just once, so that she would completely understand who Akito really was. "Akii-kun, this is Naomi Kenta, the youngest niece of the leader of the Kenta family, as you already know…"

I accented the last bit more, so that it would get through to all present that Akito Sohma knew far more about the world than some Kenta girl, even if she were also from an influential family and only just a little younger than he was. Why did he know more? Because he was god.

"Naomi-sempai," I still forced myself to treat her respectfully, even in a situation like this - after all, I had been brought up as the sister to the clan leader, and that me the leading female representative of the Sohma's… even if I was a little younger than most others who held the position… "This is the man that you have just been talking about, within his hearing, is Akito Sohma, the clan head of the Sohma family… and my brother…"

If it was possible, her face went even paler as she realised her mistake and turned around to face 'god' for the first time…

"Hatori…?" Akito called for the now 23 year old Dr. Hatori Sohma as he helped me up gently, his glare directed at Naomi and the others keeping those who hadn't already left from running away. "Go get the principle of this… school… It seems as if now I need more than just a little word with him…"

"Yes Akito-sama… but shouldn't I deal with Akira-chan's injuries first…? She is bleeding, after all…"

We both looked sharply down to where he was indicating and saw immediately that there was blood on Akito's hands from where he had helped me up, and then blood seeping through my dark school uniform, dripping delicately down onto the schoolyard, leaving drops of rubies lying there. Immediately Akito's gaze intensified considerably as he glared at the girl who had done this to me, causing Naomi to break down completely and throw all her pride away…

""P… please… please don't tell Uncle Kenta… Please! I… I didn't mean to hurt Akira… not like this anyway…" It seemed that instantly Naomi was a sobbing wreck, and for a moment I actually felt a little sorry for her… but Akito evidently didn't – he could see clearly through her 'act'… If it were actually an act…

"Of course you meant to hurt Akira-chan! I saw you attack her in cold blood! You piece of scum!" He scoffed at her before turning his back to her in contempt, and facing Hatori, silently asking why Hatori hadn't instantly obeyed his orders, especially in front of other Sohma's. But Hatori still didn't move, looking at me… or rather, my wounds

"Go Hatori-san… I… I'm not too badly hurt… I'll be fine… for a short while, at least…" I could tell that the Doctor part of Hatori was still telling him to stay with me… but the Juunishi part of him was commanding him to follow Akito's words. And with my confirmation of his words, at least Hatori went off knowing he had tried

I looked around cautiously, trying not to move my throbbing body, and saw for the first time the dismal scene that had been caused because of me. Naomi was in a corner, terrified that she would get into more trouble with her family, and not just Akito, her friends were sitting and standing silently around the schoolyard, all in deep thought about what would happen to them for helping Naomi in her deed. Then I turned slowly to face Akito, and saw him standing there impassively, a face of power, and a judge at the gates of heaven. He was strange… he wasn't the Akito I knew… he was… different… scary…

"A… Akii-kun…" I walked up to him slowly, wondering to myself 'would he recognise even me when he is like this…?' "I… I… I'm okay… really… I… I'm f--…"

"NO YOU ARE NOT!" He interrupted me, shrieking wildly, and turning to face Naomi, rage in his eyes. "HOW CAN YOU SAY THAT YOU ARE OKAY WHEN THAT THING…"

He pointed roughly to Naomi while he spoke, and she shuddered violently, creeping further back into her corner, fresh tears appearing in her eyes.

"… HAS DONE THIS TO YOU! LOOK AT YOURSELF! SHE'S COMPLETELY DESTROYED YOU'RE BLOODY SPIRIT! IF AKIRA DOESN'T GET BETTER KENTA, THEN YOU WILL BE IN EVEN MORE TROUBLE THAN YOU ARE NOW!"

Even though Akito was only fifteen, he seemed much, much older, and as I approached him again, I was terrified that the old Akito wouldn't be in there… and wouldn't return to this world… wouldn't return to me

"A… Akii-kun… It alright… really… You don't have to be so angry Akii-kun… just go and talk to the principle… it doesn't have to be all like this… I don't want it to be like this…"

Even though I only whispered to him, and he was the only one who heard my pleas, it seemed to get him to calm down… he closed his eyes and leaned gently against a wall, shutting out all the hatred inside him.

"Very well Akira-chan…" His voice was hard… but it was also honest, so I knew that even though he wanted to tear them limb from limb, I knew he wouldn't. "I shall wait until I can do all of this… legally… But this Kenta girl will pay for what she has done to you – I will see to it personally, mark my words…"

As he finished promising to me, Hatori exited the building next door, with the principle following quickly, concern on his youngish face as he saw Akito there, thunder in his face.

"A… Akito-sama! S… such an honour to have you visit our humble school… b… but I… I thought that y… you were away at the present moment…"

"I was away at a conference, but then I had to come and sign Akira's enrolment documentation… but then when I arrive I find her being assaulted by one of your students. That idiot Kenta girl is not even good enough to speak to my Akira, let alone treat her in a manor such as the one she's given to Akira. I want Naomi Kenta expelled tonight."

"B… but she… her… her uncle…" The principle began to splutter, and I couldn't really blame him – the Kenta's had quite a few of their children enrolled at this middle high school, and must be paying millions for their tuition. Without the Kenta's there, the schools population, and their reputation would go down considerably

"Expel the girl, or I shall make sure that the reputation of this school is permanently ruined." Everyone in the area must have jumped at Akito's sudden outburst of coldness, I did.

"Umm… but the schools sponsorship…" So that was why the school allowed Naomi to remain in school even after all of the incidents she must have caused – because her family bribed them to…

"Fine. If that is how you see it…" His fury had now turned cold and hard, and even though the principle was over fifteen years older than Akito, Akito still appeared far more superior than the older man in this situation. "Come on Akira-chan, we'll take you to hospital, and then we shall report what has happened to the police. I'm sure a full scale enquiry will be put into both the school and the Kenta family… after all the Sohma's do sponsor the annual police charity events…"

To that the uncontrollable sobbing of Naomi grew even louder, and the principle grew paler. Akito just smirked at the effects that his words had caused, and began to walk away, me trailing behind obediently. As I walked away from Naomi, I heard her mutter something very inappropriate. Glancing at Akito slightly as I slid into the limo behind him, I realised he had heard her comment as well, but he wasn't doing anything about it – because I had begged him not to resort to violence – a thing he clearly really wanted to do.

"Where does it hurt Akira-chan?" Akito was barely murmuring as he asked me, and even with my hearing I had to strain to catch his words. "Please, tell me…"

"I… it doesn't hurt much Akito…" I replied weakly, hating myself for causing so much trouble…

"But it's hurting you mentally, isn't it…?" He looked directly into my eyes, and I shivered slightly, wondering why his eyes could still have so much of an effect on me. "What did she say to you Akira-chan…?"

"N… nothing that matters…" I lied to him, unwilling to get anyone else in trouble… but that look in his eyes, so caring, and yet so… great forced me to admit the truth to him. "W… well… s… She had just picked up some of the gossip from the outside estate… it was just a bit of idle gossip… I wasn't affected by it…"

"You do realise that I can always tell when you're lying, don't you? It would hurt anyone… it hurt me to hear them saying those things to you even…" I looked directly into his eyes and saw some of that vulnerability in them again, and I couldn't help but reach out a hand to meet his, our fingers entwining together.

What I didn't realise was that when I returned; everyone just assumed that it was Akito that had hurt me, and not an outsider that had never met me before. I was so ignorant to it all I didn't even realise that they spoke behind our backs about it all, and that their opinion was changed about him. I was so… blissfully ignorant to it all that I didn't even realise that some of them thought that I was a fool, or under a delusion… or trapped to be living with Akito. I didn't realise any of that because I didn't view life the same way as they all did.

I had never viewed life like that…

And maybe that was my biggest mistake…


AN: Thank you for reading.