TARO'S POV

"That was weak. It took you two minutes to take down that tree? I expect you to get done with it in thirty seconds. Has the ass kicking from your own sister left a mark on you?" I mentally cursed at him for mentioning her. "I'll be attending to business. When I get back there had better be blood." That was his way of saying train harder. I glared at him as he walked away until I could no longer see him.

My training consisted of mostly wide, strong trees that I had to cut through in less time. After that I would have to run around our personal track for 30 minutes, and then combat training with Jun. My hands were sore and bleeding more than usual thanks to father having me train extra hard.

Damn Tohru… Even if I was fully healed I can still remember to pain as she sliced a few of my claws off and even broke my leg and ribs. I still felt the pain, and I hated it. I had to kill her; I had to win the battle. "Taro," I turned to see Yumi staring at me with her same blank eyes. I never show any emotions, as I was taught, but something about Yumi brought a little out of me; she was like my second mother. "Come sit."

"No way, I still have training to do." And if father saw me, not training, I would pay the price.

"Taro, now," I growled but went over and sat down by her. I was always following her commands, though father has told me not to. "Why are you training this hard?"

I looked at her. "Isn't it obvious, I am fighting Tohru tomorrow; I must prepare." She should know this already.

We sat in silence as I looked at her from the corner of my eye; she was sad, but why? "You really are going to kill her, aren't you?"

What? "Of course I am, and when I do I can become an official member of this family." Tohru was not going to stand in my way of being in this family.

"And attacking the Sohmas?"

I looked at the ground. "I will obey father." Truthfully, I didn't want to attack anyone. I only had one goal: be a part of this family, earn the respect from father, as I want. "You know it will be hard. Half of the family is already on their side, and you have to go against 13 Sohmas. You may die."

"We have the advantage with our powers, and besides, if anyone gets hurt, you can just heal us." She fell silent as I said that. "You will be on our side?"

She sighed, no, not her. "Taro, I'm tired of Haruki. Look what he has done to this family, look what he has done to you." "No, not you too," I jumped up. "Father does what he has to do. The Sohmas are a threat and we dispose of threats. If members of our family want to take their side then they are the traitors." All this, all because of her.

"When are you going to see that Haruki is evil? Or do you see it and not want to accept it." Her voice rose as I felt her stand up.

"Shut up." Sure, father was, a bit harsh, but not evil. He just wants what's best for the family, and keeps the traditions going, right?

I felt her hug me from behind. "Taro, look at the facts. You aren't the same little boy from before, when you had a father, a loving mother, and sweet sister." The mention of my mother had my eyes go wide. How dare she mention her?

"It's all gone, Tohru ruined it." Everything was fine, until she became the stupid rat.

"No she didn't, Haruki ruined it." She let go and I turned to glare at her, trying not to cry. Mother. Tohru. "I promised your mother to look after you, but I seemed to have failed her." Yumi spoke to my mother.

"When? When did she tell you?"

"The day before she left," She sat back down. "She knew Haruki just wanted her out of the family because of her compassion and love for you. She had no choice but to take Tohru for her to be safe. She would have taken you, but you know why she didn't?"

Of course I knew father liked to remind me every week about it. "She never loved me. Tohru was her favorite." Tohru, the spoiled brat.

Yumi frowned and stood up. "And that shows how evil your father is. He lied." I gasped. No, father was harsh but he would never lie to me, never. "Your mother sent Tohru to your grandfather before leaving. Haruki ran into her just as she was going to your room. He had her by her throat against the wall right outside your door, saying if she took you with her, he would kill the both of you." No, no. "Your mother left without you to save you. Haruki doesn't care about you or Tohru. He wants the strongest one out of you two. He wants to see you fight so he can see who is stronger in their true form."

I collapsed to the ground, trembling. Now I remember. I woke up that night to see my father against mother with an angry face.

"Haruki, he doesn't deserve this." Kyoko cried as Haruki's grip tightened.

"I don't care, this family follows the rules. You are no longer your family and he is no longer your son."

Kyoko began feeling angry. "You have no right Haruki to say that. He is my son and I love him."

Haruki smirked. "If he is your son, then he can die with you." Kyoko's eyes went wide. "What?"

"You heard me bitch. I don't care if you leave but if you take him, I will hunt you down and kill the both of you." He let go off her; she coughed. "Get out of my sights before I change my mind and kill you now."

Kyoko looked back at her son with tears. "Goodbye Taro." She whispered and ran off. Haruki looked at me before turning and walking away.

I thought for the longest time, that it was just a nightmare, something I wished happen, but it did. Father, why? "He will be here any minute Taro. I suggest you get up and continue training." Yumi said as she helped him up, gave him a hug and ran off before Haruki could see her. He continued clawing the trees with no emotion other than anger.

"That tree is still not cut yet? What have you been doing, picking Daisy's? You are weak Taro, and Tohru will kill you the minute you face her. Worthless brat." He mumbled the last part but I heard.

"Sorry, father." I mumbled as I continued clawing the tree until it fell. "I said thirty seconds not one minute. You are not improving." He shouted. "Get out of my face. Be here in an hour for combat." I nodded and ran off into my room. There I broke down; my body trembled more than before as I kept hitting the floor with my fists.

Why, why father? I was your favorite; it was always me, so why say you will kill me? Tohru's the one that needs to die not me. Yumi…No! I shook my head, getting her words out of my head. I didn't want to believe it; I wanted to go back to focusing on killing Tohru, my sister. My sister. My twin sister.

I shouted with angst, why does this have to be so complicated? Tohru, why can't you just die?