Disclaimer: I don't own any of them. They are the creation of the almighty, Takaya Natsuki.
A/N: Dun-dun-dun~! What's gonna happen now? Be prepared to be clicking tongues or raising eyebrows at me. It's either that damn retarded (hehe) or that damn shocking (oh, god). XD
Peering In From the Outside
Chapter 10: Certainty
"Are you feeling all right, Kisa?" Hatori asked, looking directly into the girl's face.
It has been three days now into her punishment, and the doctor could see how one becomes when given too little to eat and drink. Kisa was literally on the verge of a breakdown (or so it seems), and there was very little he could do for her.
"Yeah, I'm fine."
"There are only four more days to go. Hang in there."
"I am," she replied. "I have to be strong. If only I was as strong as . . ." It then dawned on her - she was to not "mention" him to anyone else ever again.
However, it seemed like Hatori caught on. "Kyo, perhaps?"
Kisa frowned. "Don't speak about him! Akito will punish you, too! He'll--"
"It's okay, Kisa."
"But . . ."
"He may be gone from this household, but he has not been forgotten. I've seen him a couple of times myself, and each time I always got the impression he was a free-spirited and strong creature. It is not surprising Akito's orders were to have him locked up hidden from view."
Kisa gingerly rubbed at her eyes, having the feeling of tears welling up. "I hate this place. I hate everything about it. I hate this place so much."
"You shouldn't say that, Kisa. It's our home."
"I just want everyone to be happy. No one is happy here. Not even Akito himself."
Hatori sighed, for once thinking Kisa was delving into things far too deeply. She may be young, but as a silent observer, she noticed things some of the other zodiac animals did not. Yet, in being this way, she only made it all the more easier to get hurt.
"Don't you worry . . . One day we will all be happy."
"Kureno, have you discovered his whereabouts?" Akito asked in an impatient tone.
Kureno, head bowed and kneeling, replied, "no, Sir. I was informed there was a orange cat loitering around the area, but it was not the one."
"Did you get a look at it?"
"Yes, and it wasn't him."
"Hmph. He thinks he can escape from me, can he?" From a small drawer, Akito produced a beaded bracelet - the one Kyo once had on. "I told him never to take this fucking thing off and he agreed! There is no way in hell he is going to get away with disobeying my orders! No matter how long it takes you must bring him back here! I'll make him regret the day he was ever born!"
"Yes, Akito."
"Leave! Get out of my sight!"
Kureno did as instructed, leaving no trace behind that he was ever in the room with Akito.
"I grow weary these days. Can this be a sign of a bad omen?"
Yuki was at his usual spot, idly gazing out at the front gate, catching glimpses of people every now and then. All of them looked so happy and carefree out there. It was a small feeling, but it was welling up slowly - building block after block. Soon enough it would become yearning. Yuki yearned. He wanted to go outside.
His brother, Akame, aside from the cat, was the only one allowed to live outside the mansion walls. Yuki was once free like that too, and now he longed to go back home, even if love were to never be showered his way. His mother had always favored his older brother over him, but now that he was a bit older he realized it didn't bother him too much.
Why did Akito not allow him outside? Why only let the others? Somehow, it all didn't seem fair.
At one time Hiro told him to go out if he wanted to. He made it sound so simple, and it made Yuki's stomach churn at the thought. Yes, if only it were that simple.
"I thought you'd be here." Yuki turned. "You're always sitting here. I can see you from my bedroom window, you know."
"Hiro."
"Why the long face?" Yuki then realized he was probably staring at the cast. "My arm's broken, big deal. It'll heal with time."
"Does it still hurt?" He found himself asking. He, himself, never broke a limb and thus, was not sure of how painful it can be.
"Nah, not really." Hiro looked out towards the gate. "You know, I always notice you staring out in that direction. Does the outside word intrigue you?" Before Yuki was even given the time to reply, Hiro plowed onward. It's a really big place. Easy to get lost and there are so many annoying things. Momiji is obviously more obnoxious when we're outside; he acts like a big baby and Kisa keeps mothering him. I can't stand it, you know."
"But it must be fun to go out beyond the gates."
"Then why not go outside, Yuki? On the days we are allowed out you never go. What's up with that?"
"Well . . ."
"Hey, Yuki?"
"Yes?"
"I might be a little kid and all, but don't think I don't know about the darker stuff. You see, Kisa and I are alike in this aspect. I'm just better at being secretive than she is."
Little did Hiro know she was far more keen than he was.
"Is . . . Is that so?"
"I can see the gigantic mark on your neck, Yuki." The gray-haired youth automatically placed one palm over it, face turning as red as a beet. "Akito doesn't hold back, does he?"
"How did you know?"
"It's obvious. If you live in this household and don't know Akito does sexual acts on you, then you're a useless idiot. Say, could this be why you never go outside when the rest of us do? He has sex with you in the meantime?"
"You don't have to say it so blatantly, Hiro!"
"Hey, I say it like I see it. There's nothing to be embarrassed about. I'm a kid and you don't see me getting all flustered or anything."
All this time Yuki was worried about being noticed, and like a crumbling tower, Hiro completely knocked it down with his words. Everyone knew, then?
"So strong . . ."
"Huh?"
"How can you be so strong at a time like this? Your arm's broken and Kisa's being punished for god knows what. And yet, yet you can still act like yourself."
"What are you talking about? I'm myself because it's who I am. Kisa wouldn't be happy if she saw me moping around over the fact that she's being punished. I'm not like Momiji; I won't bawl my eyes out. Not anymore."
"I see."
Yuki began to think Hiro had become stronger after the awful incident. At the time, he looked horribly broken down - dismembered. For him to recover from it so soon, it proved he was being very strong. He was shining brilliantly; Yuki wanted to reach out to it, if only to be able to feel the courage as well. He needed it.
"Sorry, did I get you burned? I didn't mean to sound so self-centered."
"Oh, no, no, it's not your fault! I . . . It's just . . . I was admiring you."
Yuki probably didn't realize it, but this was a side of Hiro anyone else seldom saw. There were very few select people here who could see all sides of the boy, and Yuki, being one of them, was considered a treasured person to Hiro (though he was never going to openly admit it).
"Akito tried to break me, body and soul. I knew it, too, and I tried my hardest to stay up and be accounted for. In the end, it all paid off. I'm only me as I am now because I realized something very important; something Akito will never take away from me no matter what he does."
Yuki stilled, eyes closing shut as he anticipated the other boy's words.
"He says we all belong to him, but how can one truly define the word 'belong'? It is a word that has many meanings, ranging from stark black to murky white. I have the mentality to believe I belong to no one, and what secures my heart to me is my own will and power. Akito won't destroy me. I'll never let him."
"That's some deep thoughts you're bringing up."
"I'm only telling you, okay? You're not so powerless as to not be able to be yourself, right, Yuki?" Yuki nodded, now feeling a new kind of pressure building within. "The curse is what connects us to Akito. He uses it as a manipulative tool to control us. We are bound by it, and until it can be broken we have to stay by his side.
"I was brought here when I was only three. Some of the other zodiac animals were already here before then; he wanted us rounded up simply for his own enjoyment. Sick, isn't it?"
"That can't be true, Hiro," Yuki found himself saying.
"He's a fucking psycho."
"As we suffer, so does he."
"Why are you defending him all of a sudden?"
"I'm by his side. He's by my side. His dark surges comes from something I don't think he'll admit, but I am sure of it."
"What the hell is it, then?"
"He's jealous of us."
Hiro scoffed, not quite believing Yuki's words. "You've gotta be kidding me!"
"As we are bound to the curse, so is he. And--"
"You fucking little asshole!" Akito came from out of nowhere and lunged at Hiro. "Feeding lies to my precious little bird! You little shit! Like hell you know anything!" Both of his hands were now wrapped around the small boy's neck, tightly squeezing. "I'll make you eat your fucking words!"
"Akito, stop it! He'll die!"
"You stay out of this, Yuki! Saying I'm jealous of you dirty lot! You are as worse as them! You'll have your turn!"
Yuki continued to watch in stunned horror, seeing the life drain out of Hiro's eyes. He struggled for a few more seconds and then went limp, head lolling to one side. The rising and lowering of his chest ceased.
"Ahahahahaha!" Akito cackled at the top of his lungs. "Ahahahahahahaha!"
"Hiro! Oh my god, Hiro! Hi--"
"Shut the fuck up!" He received a sound slap across one cheek. "You stupid animals don't know what I go through! This gnawing pain constantly tearing at me! I thought you understood, Yuki! You, the cleverest of them all! Why have you betrayed me by telling this annoying leech unnecessary things! You shall be punished! PUNISHED, YOU HEAR, DAMMIT!"
Word of the incident traveled fast. All of the animals (excluding Kisa) were gathered into a small room. Laying before them was the small form of Hiro; he was as lifeless as a broken doll. No one could actually believe the sheep of the zodiac was dead.
"Look here, you fucking pieces of shit! He went ahead spouting nonsense and it seemed appropriate he be dealt with the penalty of death! If anyone else wishes to join him, then be my guest!"
This was too horrible of an act. Having killed the sheep altered the curse, and though Akito was feeling the effects full blast, he was not going to falter in front of the animals. One single dark line (not yet clearly showing on his skin) was beginning to form, starting from the tip of a toe all the way to his chest where his heart resided.
"I will always do as you command," someone spoke up. "You are our God. We must follow our God till the end."
It was Rin.
Momiji, sitting the farthest back, was gently sobbing, as he tried to make as little noise as possible. Hatsuharu, whom was sitting close by, patted him on the back, trying to comfort him. He knew Momiji usually hung out with Hiro and Kisa, and this was the hardest blow anyone could make upon the fragile rabbit. Without a doubt, Kisa was going to be just as terrorized as well.
"Just what I wanted to hear. You are a smart girl, Rin."
"Shall I inform Akame?" Hatori asked, slightly rising from his sitting position.
"No need. I shall do it personally."
"All right, Akito."
It was a bit puzzling why Akame was not living with the rest of them, but no one had the nerves to ask the reason.
"Next, Yuki will be punished. He was conspiring behind my back with the little despicable sheep." All heads turned to the rat. "Let it be known that he sleeps with me, shamelessly exposing himself like some slutty whore. Since he likes it in the rear so much, I'd like to present him with a little gift. You all must be watching as I administer the punishment, understand?"
Everyone nodded.
Yuki gulped, deathly afraid of what was to come.
"Kureno, bring me the required instrument!"
The rooster returned with a large dildo; Yuki eyed it warily, now knowing what Akito was going to do to him.
"He will have this plugged up his little ass until I deem it fit for him to have it removed. Get over here right now, Yuki."
Yuki moved forward, face heating up in shame.
"Pull down your pants. Turn your head this way and expose your ass to everyone."
Yuki obeyed, knowing the exact position he was to make. This was going to hurt terribly, and it made him want to cry. It only took a moment and then he could feel the large object sliding up his rectum, no lubrication provided. It burned painfully, but Yuki knew how to relax his muscles, so he did. Yet, even that could not completely dull the pain.
Some watched in mild fascination, while others watched with masked disgust. No one was enjoying the show except Akito himself.
"Good. Now keep that thing shoved up there until you need to go take a shit. This shall have you nice and raw in no time, Yuki, my pretty bird."
Chapter 10: END