AN: I am SO sorry that this is late! (at least I warned you) In any case, I don't have the next chapter even written, yet. So, it's likely that you won't see it until, next Friday or later. I'll try and get that chapter and the next written, soon, though, so that I won't have to worry about it after this next update. Also, this chapter makes me happy. It was fun to write. (paragraph six and seven are my favourite) Please be patient with me!

Chapter 25- An Odd Chain of Events

"Eek!" shrieked Tohru, not expecting Yuki to change back so soon. Kyou quickly reached down to cover the Onigiri's mouth, not wanting to attract more attention to the blushing girl.

Yuki hastily turned around, "Loophole…"

Kazuma sighed, "Now his clothes are inside the cage…"

Kyou scratched his head, "What now?"

"We… should… get him some clothes…?" said Tohru timidly.

"It's probably not best to have a nude teen that's supposed to be in a cage running about Sohma Estate in the middle of the night with a girl who's hated by the head of the family and a boy who was once shunned along with his adoptive father who should still be away, according to Akito's orders…" said Shishou thoughtfully.

"Well that puts a damper on things," said the exposed Nezumi.

(AN: I changed it to nighttime, kay? Go with it.)

"Tohru is not hugging you again," said Kyou, "not in that state."

"I didn't suggest it," replied Yuki with distain, "She's been mortified enough, tonight,"

Kazuma pondered, "What's nearby? Anyone we know?"

"Oh, hell no." said the Nezumi, "I know, but I am not going to his house!"

Tohru spoke up, "Um, I know who you mean, Yuki-san; but is your lack of respect for him worth these troubles?"

"It isn't if he tells Shigure, who'll tell Akito."

"Who," said Kazuma, "are we talking about?"

Kyou snickered. "I can tell just by his tone; Sohma Ayame, Yuki's annoying older brother."

"Oh," Shishou said, "him." Shrugging, he continued, "Well, if he's close."

"What's that racket?" a flamboyant voice called from a nearby window.

"Speak of the devil!" returned Kazuma in a way that only an adult could, his confidence rivaling the one he addressed, "Ayame, do you," he winced, "have any spare men's clothes?"

"Oh, Kazuma-san! Always! What size?"

Shishou hesitated, "…Yuki's"

"…" Ayaa nodded and left the building to meet the group outside. "Yuki… you know that if this fails, Akito-san will see to it that the three of you are dead… right?"

The condemned nodded with pride, "They seem to believe in me; so should I, them."

"As long as you know what you're getting into." The Hebi handed a loosely bound package of clothes to his brother.

"Thank you… said the exposed Yuki, "Brother…"

"Anytime, Yuki," after a moment of consideration, Ayame rephrased, "Anytime when I don't have to sacrifice my," he whispered to preserve Tohru's ears, "… you know…"

"Brother!" screeched Yuki, snatching the clothes and hurriedly donning them.

"Hey, Tohru," said Kyou, a relieved tone of voice prominent, "Yuki has clothes, now…"

"Thank goodness!" said an equally relieved Onigiri.

"Oh my, we have a congregation… this is rather unexpected, isn't it? So they were here, rather than at home, it would seem… I'm glad you caught up after checking, though, Shigure."

The five astonished people simultaneously looked to the source of the voice, to find Akito… and Shigure…

AN: Tidbit of info for you all- I wrote this up at school. On the school computers. It's saved on their database. I wrote it in the middle of science class. With the lady that's in charge of making sure that we don't mess with anything outside fo schoolwork on the computers in the room. I also, in turn, had to sneak onto the internet and upload this. And then delete the history folders and the cookies when noone was looking. Don't say that I don't take risks for you all. Review?