I own nothing. As always reviews are very much appreciated.

Once they arrived, Momiji said good-bye to Tohru and headed off to his room. Hatori picked up Tohru's present and led the girl toward Akito.

"Wait here," he said, setting the gift down, "I'll talk to him first." With that, Hatori walked into Akito's room, leaving Tohru alone in the hall. After about three minutes, Hatori opened the door, ushering Tohru inside. She followed the doctor across the sparsely furnished room to the wooden balcony.

Akito sat outside, leaning against the house. He wore the same coral robe he had worn the last time Tohru had come to the estate. Hatori kneeled beside Tohru, about five feet form the head of the family who still hadn't acknowledged the fact that Tohru was there. The anxious tension in the air steadily built as the minutes ticked by. Tohru could feel her stomach churning nervously. Wind blew through the trees, rustling the green leaves throughout the garden.

"Why have you come here?" Akito asked suddenly, his voice quiet, full of bored hatred and malice. Tohru's head jerked up; she had assumed that Hatori had told him the reason for her visit.

"Hatori told me you were here," Akito continued, somehow sensing the girl's thoughts, "He only said that you had come to see me. So as I said, why have you come here?"

"Umm…" Tohru said, fidgeting.

"Well?" Akito snapped, suddenly turning his head to face her. Hatori immediately tensed in case things got worse. Tohru gasped nervously, eyes landing on the cloth covered object beside her.

"I-I brought you a present," she said, eyes reverting back to stare at her knees. Akito grunted and went back to staring at the sky.

"What is it?" he asked, finally turning his body to face Tohru. The girl pulled the gift over and removed the cloth. As the fabric was dragged away, a birdcage came into view. Inside a small white dove hopped around, chirping softly. Hatori's eyes widened at the sighed and he quickly looked to Akito to gauge his reaction to the gift.

Akito just stared at the bird, analyzing its movements as it hopped. After about a minute, he looked back at Tohru.

"I have a bird," he said simply, scowling slightly. Hatori nearly face-palmed; he had expected an answer like that but still… As if on cue, a white bird flew over and landed on Akito's knee.

"I-um- I know that," Tohru said, a nervous blush spreading across her face, "but I thought you might like another." Akito made an indifferent, dismissive noise in the back of his throat. Slowly, he looked into Tohru's eyes and smirked at the fear he saw within.

"Your gift is worthless here." He said, "Now go." Tohru's eyes widened and she opened her mouth to protest, but Hatori beat her to it.

"Akito," he said, "Tohru put a lot of thought into this gift. Please accept it." The head Sohma glared at his doctor for a moment then looked back at Tohru.

"Why would you put so much thought into this?" he hissed.

"I want to know you, Akito," Tohru answered. Hatori gulped. This conversation had not gone well the last time and it was very likely it wouldn't go well again.

Akito looked from Tohru to the bird and back, then opened the cage door. The dove hopped over to the door, flew out, and circled the group. After a few seconds, it came back to rest on Akito's outstretched finger.

"I think she likes you," Tohru said smiling. Akito's dark eyes rolled over to her for a moment, then went back to rest on the dove.

"Mangy little thing," he grunted, stroking the bird's head gently, "I think I might just keep it though." Tohru smiled brightly at his words as Hatori inwardly sighed. That was probably as close to "thank you" as Akito would ever get. Suddenly, Akito glared at her.

"Why are you still here? You've delivered your gift. Now get out!" Hatori grunted softly, everything was back to normal. All gratitude had melted away like water in the desert, leaving only the bag of bitterness, hatred, and sickness that was Akito. Tohru gasped in surprise at the sudden change in the family head's mood. Quickly,

she stood along with Hatori, bowed, and left the room.

"I'll drive you back to Shigure's house." The doctor said as the walked down the hall toward the exit.

"Thank you." Tohru answered brightly.