Chapter Eleven

By the end of the weekend, the house had regained its composure. Tohru had given Hatori the okay to go back to his house at the estate, and Ayame had traipsed after him, giggling as per usual. Tired as she was, she plowed on. Tonight was her night to work. She hadn't had work in close to a week, and she needed to catch up on her money. After informing the three men that she was heading off to work, she slipped into her shoes and closed the door, pulling her jacket on. She shivered as a cold wind whipped.

"Ah, Tohru, thank goodness you're here. There is much work to be done, and you get it done quite efficiently," one of the usual maids, Chihiro, said, smiling as she leaned on her broom. "Go see Miyu. She has the list of things that need to be done." Tohru gave a quick nod and scurried off to find her. When she did, she bowed.

"Chihiro sent me to see you. What is it that you need to have done?" Miyu shoved the list into her face with a frazzled sigh.

"Any of the things on this list that you can do, and do well, that is what needs to be done. There is going to be a big party here tomorrow night, and we were only just informed of this. You can see how this led to being caught off guard." Tohru's eyes widened as she scanned the list. It seemed to go on forever.

"Don't worry! I'll get it done!" she cried, clenching her fist holding the paper and bringing it to her chest.


Hatori sat in his office, fiddling with a loose lock of hair that refused to stay put. He felt oddly incomplete, sitting alone in his office, without the cheery banter or sensational aromas of Tohru's cooking. He was not used to feeling this way. With a large sigh, he blew the piece of hair out of his face. His stomach grumbled in protest of his deprivation of food. Hatori stood and put some water on the stove, grabbing a pack of instant raimen. He poked at the bobbing lump of noodles in the water lifelessly. This was nothing compared to Tohru.


She worked well past midnight, and stopped only when Momiji's father came out and placed a hand on her shoulder.

"Miss Honda, really, you've done quite enough for one night. Go home and get some rest. Momiji and I are leaving within the half hour anyways, so there is not much more that you could do. You're free to go." Stifling a yawn, she smiled.

"Okay. Good night, Mr. Sohma. Tell Momiji good night for me, too, please." She pulled her jacket back on, stifling another yawn. As she stepped outside, she took into account just how dark it was. Thank goodness for these streetlights, she thought, looking up at one with squinted eyes. She shook her head. I should get home. It's very late. She began walking, anxiety increasing. She'd always been afraid of being alone, and when it was as late as tonight, she was even more frightened. She shook her head again. Don't be so silly, Tohru. Nothing is going to happen. Look at how calm the streets are. Tohru rounded the corner of the building and gave a gasp as a hand tightened around her arm, locking her in place.

"Say nothing," a voice murmured in her ear, "and maybe I'll take it easy on you. Maybe not. Why don't we have a little chat? Now, from what I hear, you've stolen the heart of my doctor. Tsk, tsk, such a deplorable action, Miss Tohru Honda. What do you have to say for yourself?"

"A-Akito," she whimpered as her arm cramped and his grip tightened. "I-I don't understand…" She gave out a sharp cry as he twisted her arm around, forcing her to face him.

"Of course you don't, you stupid girl. Why are you corrupting my family? You think that you can just prance into their lives and think nothing will happen? Hatori belongs to me, Tohru Honda. He is not yours to take. Why do you think that you can control my family?" He threw her to the ground, throwing her across the loose gravel and broken glass that had fallen from the abandoned building next door. She stayed where she was, too terrified to move. Akito crouched down beside her, dragging his sharp nails along her face and arms, making long, angry scratches that soon began to bleed. She let out a whimper before she could hold it back, tears streaming down her face. He slapped her. "Silence, you insufferable child!"

What had she done to deserve this? Had she somehow offended him, indirectly, perhaps? She racked her brain, trying to remember if she had said anything against him at any point. She could remember anything. She could only dwell on the wounds that Akito was inflicting. He pulled her up, quickly and angrily, slamming her against the brick wall of the abandoned building. Several pieces of mortar crumbled around her, working their way into her hair. He drew away suddenly, and Tohru stared at him, eyes wide with fear and shock. He laughed for a moment, bewildering her. How could he laugh at a time like this? As his laughter subsided, she saw him creep closer to her again, and then there was a sickening pain in her abdomen, and several cracks as his fist came in contact with her ribs.

Tohru sank down to the ground in pain, clutching her stomach and trying not to retch. She became immobilized as a sharp, shiny blade came in contact with her throat, pressed against the skin just hard enough to draw blood.

"I could kill you, you know. Right now. Make it quick. But why kill you now…when I can sit back and watch you die slowly?" He traced patterns into her skin with the tip of her blade, on her legs and arms, even one on her stomach. After a few minutes of silence, he stood. "I've decided I'm done here. Take care, Miss Honda," he said, taking care to tread on her wrist as he left. The scenery around her began to swim as the loss of blood increased. She coughed twice, retching blood and crying out in pain as the action pulled at her broken ribs. Just as she gave way to unconsciousness, she heard a faraway voice cry,

"Tohru!"

"Momiji," she whispered, blacking out.


Shigure had just settled down with a cup of tea and a book when the door opened and a frightened cry rang clear. He threw the book down in panic, dropping the cup of tea. He didn't even hear the sound of the china breaking as he raced from the room.

"What's going on?" When he caught sight of Tohru, he took a sharp breath. "Tohru!" Hatori rushed in after Momiji.

"Who did this to her?" he asked, anger lighting up his eyes. If he ever found the person who did this, he would make them pay for it. "Please. Everybody, clear out. I need room to take care of Tohru's injuries." They backed away slowly, staring at her form. Her eyes flickered and they opened, a tortured look within them. She grabbed hold of the front of Hatori's jacket. He stopped and stared at her, wondering what she was doing.

"No needles," she mumbled. The doctor let out a weak laugh. Please, please let her live.

A/N: I'm sorry! Drama club has taken over my life, and this is a really short chapter, and I'm sorry if it's sucky. But, as requested, a new chapter. Enjoy! R&R welcome as usual!!