Akito's Sister

I don't own the rights, okay!

Note: This story take place after episode 26 of the TV series.

Chapter Ten

The main house was in an uproar. He was missing.

* * *

The snow dappled yard was beautiful from through the doors of Shigure's house as she sat at the table with him across from her. One of her arms was still in a cast, the other in a sling. Her face was bruised and scratched, he could only imagine what her back and her legs looked like.

"I came here today to tell you I'm sorry." He told her.

"You've told me that many times now Akito. And each time I tell you that you don't need to apologize to meat all." Ashi told him. She had been out of the hospital for a week and this was the third time he had come by to apologize.

"That's only a part of the reason I'm here, Ashi." He told her. "I'm here to also tell you that

I've stepped down."

Ashi nearly keeled over, even though she was sitting down. "What did you say?"

"I said that I've stepped down as head of the family. The responsibility it entails has never been fully mine, I see that now, it belonged to you. A good head of the family takes care of the happiness of everyone. All I ever caused was pain and suffering. So I'm letting it go, and I'm giving it to someone who knows just how to use it so that people are happy. I've also let go of the Zodiac, they aren't mine, they never have been, they are free people who deserve to find happiness anywhere, not just with me." Akito took a deep breath. "I'm leaving it to you. The maids should give you no trouble, but if they do just ignore them."

The phone suddenly rang.

Ashi picked it up. "Hello."- "Yes, actually he's here."- "No, I don't know if he has an intention of coming back."- "Fine, you ask him." She handed the phone to Akito without even looking.

"Hello." He said. "No, I told you where I was going."- "Yes actuallly I've already told her so you're too late for that."- "No, unless Ashi wants it I'm not coming back."- "I wouldn't know I haven't asked her."- "No, I'm not going to ask her."- "That would completely defeat the purpose."- "Yes, that is still my intention."- "Of course, goodbye."

He hung up the phone and turned to Ashi.

"I fully intend to go through with this, so unless you have any objection you will be the next head of the family.

He could just barely hear her whisper, "Why? Why, after all I've done to fulfill your every wish and whim because your father wanted you to be happy, would you throw everything down the drain?"

He smiled slightly. "Because that's not where I'm happy anymore, these past years you've tried to open my eyes, and the only way you could was to truly shock me enough to come to a complete stop in my behavior and actions. But now that my eyes have been opened I can't close them to what I see I've done. That's why."

He stood and put his hand lightly on her head.

"You will make everyone happy, especially me, by doing this." He leaned down to whisper in her ear. "It will be my payment for making you suffer so by my hands for so long."

She tried to speak but he just shook his head. Then he left.

She was in an emotional tornado that was slowly tearing her apart from the inside.

*****

Better late than never. Nobody guessed as to who's flashback was at the beginning of chapter 7, so I'll tell you now. It was Ashi's, and apparently Ashi will succeed Akito as head of the family. I'm just gonna say this now-and possibly spoil it-but that never gets the chance to happen.

And remarkably nobody has noticed that I haven't included any scenes where the Sohmas turn into their respective animals-huh, I didn't think I could get away with that, but I apparently have. So... I'll update as soon as possible but no promises it will be long, the drama however will shoot a hole in your roof so you might want to call a contractor... :)