A/n: I decided to rewrite this chapter. Although...I've come to the conclusion that no matter how much I write it; I will never be satisfied with it. I'm hoping that this will jumpstart me into finishing the damn thing. Two more chapters I can do it! REVIEW! MOTIVATE ME!

Thanks guys.

Disclaimer: I do not own Fruits Basket.

"It took so long to remember just what happened
I was so young a vestal then
You know you hurt me
But I'm breathing so I guess I'm still alive.
Even if signs seem to point me otherwise"
-"Prison Sex" Tool

The two Sohma boys were unaware at the time that they were giving their all for something that would initially become much greater than either one of them could've imagined. What always appeared to be a selfish, primitive need would lead to colossal changes in both their lives and the lives of those around them. The most crucial aspect of Yuki and Kyo's self-indulgent romance would be the self-growth they received in the process.

Every flaw they faced their partner would fill and together they became something more. The two became so complete until there was nothing left they lacked. Every string of harsh words and gentle kisses left an impact, an impression that left them better for. Over their time apart Yuki and Kyo became aware of this effect. Unfortunately, it was late to save them from the anguish that would follow.

"And as far as Akito is concerned stop being a wuss and face him."

A wry smile lit Yuki's lips as he pondered over the memory.

"Much easier said than done," he laughed. They had been so innocence then. Kyo had no idea what his words meant. He just spurt them out as if they were the only thing that sounded right. But Yuki couldn't deny that the cat's words had meant something to him. Even the first night he heard them he knew that they would play a vital role in pushing him to where he had come now.

Why else would he be answering his own death toll?

"I only wish things were a simple as you make them seem, stupid cat."

The prince's toes wiggled anxiously inside his socks as he closed the sliding door behind him. His eyes were me with an inky darkness, stone colored orbs searching for any trace of light. He knew it would be like this. Akito always liked to keep his guest in the dark because it gave him a dire element of surprise. He had grown a lot weaker over the season and it was likely that his prey would escape, leaving his only advantage to sneak up on it.

Yuki's eyes struggled to adjust as the shadows slowly molded into dark figures. He silently cursed himself for not being able to wield the dark to his own advantage. But then again, he was usually praying for the best by now. He knew that God would not aid him this time. He had chosen to lie in sin and now his nightmare was breathing a few feet away.

"Yuki..."

Yuki's attention quickly found the voice. Akito was sitting across the room with his back to him, there were two newly lit candles flickering at his sides.

"You're late," his voice was as raspy and commanding as ever, sending spine shattering chills up Yuki's back.

"I'm terribly sorry," Yuki could feel his pulse steadily rising, "Akito-san."

Akito turned his head to the right so that his chin was tilted just above his exposed shoulder. His dark, sunken eyes moved to their corners so that he was glaring calmly at his former companion. "I'm just delighted that you're here. You've been ignoring my calls for sometime now. Why is that Yuki?"

"Forgive me, Akito-san." Yuki's eyes reluctantly met his masters. "I've been distracted."

"That awful Honda woman again, I presume." Akito's voice hissed sourly at Tohru's name.

Yuki didn't reply. The silence was as sharp as it was stiff and he knew Akito hated that. The last thing onyx haired leader would stand for was being ignored but he couldn't bring himself to endanger Honda-san. She really had been the only light in his turmoil. The young nezumi swallowed tensely. The sound of the forced motion echoed through the deathly silent atmosphere.

"Tell me Yuki, is she more important to you than me?"

"Of course not," he replied as evenly as he could.

"No," Akito's eyes narrow viciously as he rose from his place on the floor and staggered toward the panicked boy. "There's something else that's been keeping you from me?"

Yuki winced as Akito's hand swiftly connected with his chin.

"Look into my eyes Yuki!" the head of the Sohma family demanded.

Yuki knew that he had no choice but to consent to the sickly man's will. Slanted eyes fiercely searched his grey windows. A mad smile broke unto Akito's lifeless face as insane laughter flooded the small room. "I can't believe you've allowed yourself to become so tainted!"

Akito released Yuki's chin, forcing the rat back a few steps. The raven haired man stumbled back in continuos laughter. Holding his stomach as emphasis, he hunched over in his cachinnation.

With a deep, satisfied sigh he stopped and raised up to glower at the jyuunishi. "Honesly Yuki? Lying with a monster?"

Yuki's eyes broadened in unfiltered shock. How could have Akito acquired knowledge of his relationship with Kyo? Just how long had he known? Yuki was sure that if Akito knew of his affair with the neko that he would do everything in his power to disunite them. If Akito knew all along then why had he agreed to let it continue?

"Surprised?" the patriarch pressed smugly. "You should have known that you can't keep anything from me. The rat is suppose to be the keenest of the zodiac. It seems your filthy escapades have dulled your mind."

"Akito-san..." Yuki's mind was reaching desperately for a coherent thought. Anything that could save himself.

"Don't speak!"

The heavy sleeves of Akito's crimson robe slipped down further as he spit angrily at Yuki's feet. "You're worthless to me now. Go on beg! I will not touch you. Not after you've forsaken me for liaisons with that hideous monster."

"You're a Sohma and you are always going to be one. That's just something you are going to have to learn to live with and accept or else you will never be happy."

Kyo may not have worded it elegantly but Yuki had finally found the meaning what the boy said. It was necessary to accept your situation but that didn't mean you had to be overpowered by it. He was Yuki Sohma, he was cursed and that was his fate. However, he was determined to mold his life for himself the best way he knew how. On his own terms.

"Stop cowering every time that asshole calls! That's what is so fucking wrong with this family, they consider everyone's suffering to be normal and do nothing about it. So you're going to have to help yourself. I know you're a stronger person than this so let the bastard have it!"

"I feel sorry for you Akito," Yuki took an elongated breath, gripping tightly to his new found courage. "You've spent your whole life pretending to be something you're not. A false idol, you're neither God nor man. You've completely succumbed to your fate. You're a dark cloud that looms over this family and they all fear and hate you for it."

Yuki's tone ascended in anger with each breath, swelling with all the pain Akito had caused him over the years. Brimming with the torment of being of a Sohma.

"Yes the jyuunishi need you but I think that you need them more. You need them to love you so you frighten your way into their hearts. But it's not love, it's just some sick delusion. You're miserable so you bring them down with you. You may die with the zodiac but in the end you'll be alone and unloved."

"What do you know," Akito's hands quickly shot out and firmed around Yuki's fragile throat. "You have no idea what it's like when your body constantly aches and your soul feels as if it is being ripped in two. All I ask is that you love me to ease my pain but even the ones closest to me betray me."

Yuki's hands frantically tugged on Akito's in hopes of coaxing him into release. A series of gurgles stirred from his throat in his war for words.

"You may not love me but you will obey me. I am responsible for your very existence. You will respect me as your mother, as your God and as what binds you to this curse. I own you." Akito's nails bore into the thin skin covering Yuki's neck until blood bubbled beneath them.

Violently throwing the boy tot he ground, the superior watched as the rat struggled to refill his lungs. Mounting him, Akito forced Yuki's shoulders back onto the floor.

"It pains me to teach you this lesson again," his husky voice seeped into Yuki's ear. Akito sighed as he nestled his face next to his, taking in the scent of the boy's violet locks. "You were always my favorite--the first to reach God. If you had just stayed with me like a good boy none of this would of happened. But I let it go on and do you know why?"

Yuki felt the air halt in his lungs.

"Because it was so much fun watching you suffer," Akito grinned. "You inflicted more pain on yourself than I ever could have hoped to. In the end you were your own oppressor."

"Now it's time for you to bring your sins before God," his eyes took a vengeful turn, "you and that beast."

Yuki thrashed weakly under Akito's weight.

"You were born solely for the purpose of being my companion," a bony finger trailed down Yuki's cheek, fingering the button located just under the collar of his shirt. "Did you know that?"

Yuki vividly remembered in his childhood always being pressed to stay by Akito's side. He would do terrible things to Yuki while the family seemed to turn the other cheek. Yuki was treated more as a pet than a "friend". He remembered crying to his mother about the incidents wondering how she could turn a blind eye. But he wasn't always the one to suffer. Akito was always very possessive of the zodiac men but disgusted and jealous of the females.

"You recall this game don't you?" Akito teased while reaching for one of the candles.

Pouring hot wax on to the boy's naked neck, Akito squirmed in delight at Yuki's distress. He dipped the candle down lower until burning flames licked dangerously close to Yuki's neck.

"Do as I say and I may spare you some pain," he bit hungirly at the nezumi's lower lip. "I offer you forgiveness. I will cleanse you of those lewd and unspeakable sins."

Yuki was forced to close his eyes on the verge of tears. He wouldn't give Akito the satisfaction of seeing that he had broken him. He was ashamed at his own weakness. He had tried to stand on his own and failed. Akito would take whatever he wanted and in the end the prince would revert to a hollow, life-less shell. All the light and life he had ever know faded in an instant.

Kyo...

It was raining again. I was no longer the season for it but everday it seemed to fall. Kyo couldn't sleep through all this rain. He was informed that Yuki left for the main house that morning and something had been gnawing at the pit of his stomach ever since. Why had Akito summoned him? And was Yuki finally ready to face his demons?

It was late and there was no doubt that Yuki would be spending the night at the main house. Even though Kyo didn't see his rival much, his presence was missed. Sighing the neko rolled over and searched for sleep.

The was something kin to the presence of silence in the room. The screaming and torture had finally ceased and all that was left was the gentle patter of rain and the husk of heavy breathing. Akito rose from Yuki's side with a pleased, malicious smirk upon his face. He looked down at Yuki in triumphant as he stretched for his clothes.

Yuki's stared through a film of gloss, void and unfocused. He could still see Akito and his desperate search for his robes. Akito was always ashamed of his own nakedness.

"Go quickly to Hatori," Akito licked cat-like at the blood on his fingers. "It's in the middle of the night but he'll treat those wounds."

Yuki groaned at the thought of his body's condition. A scarred canvas of open gashes, scratches and burns. He could only watch idly as Akito delt his worse, absently numbing to the abuse. He didn't care anymore. He couldn't even bring himself to well a single tear.

"The sooner that monster is put away the better," Akito sneered as he tightened the sash around his waist. "You'll forget all about this travesty soon enough."

Akito's bare feet paced the cold hardwood floor. "The father away that wretched thing is the more pleasant things will be. I'll have you all to myself again, Yuki. Won't you come back to me?"

Yuki couldn't answer. His throat was dry and when his tongue shifted against his mouth it felt like it was brushing needles. Even his breathing was sharp and painful. He only wheezed as he struggled for words.

Akito's cold gaze burned with disgust.

"Get out of my sight," he order kicking the boy in the ribs. "You're dismissed, run home to your vulgarities."

It was the clamor of thunder that roused Kyo from his shallow sleep and nearly scared him out of his skin. A cold chill crept up from his toes as he felt the existence of a shadow looming over him. Rolling over he found a slouched silhouette at his bedside.

Before he could ask the question, lightning flashed verifying the stranger as a battered Yuki. Kyo's eyes widened in surprise as he bolted upright in bed.

"Yuki..." he whispered as the boy slumped down the wall.

Kyo's strong arms were quick to catch him. Clutching his slowly by the shoulders, he lifted his cousin to the bed. Yuki winched in pain at transition but was grateful for the assistance.

Settling himself next to Yuki, the feline examined the bruised boy. The was no to ask the indentity of the assailant.

"He did this to you!" Kyo growled despite himself. "I'll fucking kill him!"

"Don't," Yuki managed to raise an unsteady finger to his lover's lips, "you'll only make things worse for us."

Kyo fought to disguise the emotion in his eyes. It hurt to see Yuki like this, but what hurt even more..."

"Then why the hell did you even come here? Why not to Tohru?" Kyo turned away briefly. "I thought you said we were done so why come to me like this."

"Because..." Yuki's face regained some life, "everything I did today was to protect you."

Protect me, huh? Kyo thought bitterly as he peered down at the frail body beneath him. Kyo had plenty of pride and could take care of himself. Yuki was the one that needed guarding from the villain, Akito.

"Well I don't need your stinking help," Kyo threw back up his harsh facade.

Yuki's lips thinned into a weak smile. He had truly missed Kyo all this time. He missed the charming way he was so easy to read no matter what type of chaos he was in. Yuki knew him best, he always had and always would. Ever since the were children Yuki would pity the cat. But in his heart he understood just was it was like to be treated like something you're not.

"Well that may be so," Yuki said, "but that won't stop me."

Kyo's hands fixed around the sides of Yuki's face as his lips ran softly across the boy's cheeks. His breath was warm and inviting against Yuki's weather worn skin and the rat could feel a familiar sensation rise to meet the touch.

His lips parted in welcome but Kyo refused to engage. Instead the carrot colored cat traveled down to Yuki's neck where his lips traced the outline of dak, finger shaped bruises. Yuki's neck was thin and with the slightest pressure seemed as if it would snap. Kyo tried his best to lull his malice toward Akito as his tongue lapped delicately along the dip of Yuki's shoulder.

Yuki's hands pulled forcefully down Kyo's back. If the boy didn't kiss him soon he was going to explode. He needed to taste him again to soothe his unsatisfied lips. Kyo smirked at this notion and rose to meet Yuki's demands.

Their tongues met in a familiar, intricate dance. Despite the warmth they had known and cherished there was something new and enticing about this kiss. A yearning and desire at heights that peaked their previous experiences. Something more calm and fragile than their usual animalistic nature.

Yuki's entire body seemed to melt and reshaped next to Kyo's until everything fell perfectly into place. Their bodies moved as one as Kyo showered his lover in a rain of descending kisses. Despite his faint condition, Yuki could feel the life rejuvenating back into his limbs.

Through his previously turmoil, he could feel the seas settle. Kyo had activated a calming effect. Even when Yuki was battling through the rain, he knew that if he could just reach Kyo he would be okay.

He needed this one chance. His only chance to feel whole...

As their passion increased the poor nezumi felt as if he was on the threshold of screaming. He pressed himself further into Kyo and grabbed a hold of anything his hands could gather, symbolizing that he could no longer wait. The cat liked to tease him but finally made the indication that he would meet the rat's needs.

But instead of taking Yuki as his own, he did something more unexpected. Kyo wrapped his arms securely around the boy's shoulders and cradled him close to his chest. He lovingly kissed Yuki's hair and said, "Don't worry anymore. I'm going to protect you."

Yuki blinked back rebellious tears. Kyo's words surged quickly to his heart urging him back to life. Yuki felt a sudden appreciation for his companion and the love that they had nurtured. It was a delicate and feeble love, one that would surely fail in this world. But it was the realest thing either on of them had ever known.