Things had been so tense in the Sohma family, all because of me.

Everyone had been made aware of the situation that occurred between, Yuki, Akito and I. Yuki had also become over-protective of me ever since he had found out what Akito had done to me. The only reason Akito wanted me, because I was something Yuki had and Akito didn't, that I was 100% positive of.

I felt so conflicted, but I knew I had to make a decision to protect Yuki or fight with him.

Today was the day the whole Sohma family would hear my decision, whether I chose Yuki or Akito. I knew who I wanted to choose and I also knew who I had to choose

I sighed to myself and flopped onto the bed Tohru and I shared, waiting for Shigure to call me downstairs. I shut my eyes, wanting to escape this situation and just be happy again, to have things the way they used to be.

"Maybe, if I never met Yuki, things…"

I struggled to speak, choking out my words as I lay curled up on the bed.

"Things would be… better… for him… and Tohru and the other Sohma's… I'm just… a burden…" I said, thinking out loud, my voice cracking.

I clutched the necklace Yuki had given me for White Day in my fist. A gentle knock echoed in the room.

"Ayumi, it's time to go…" Shigure said hesitantly on the other side of the door.

I sighed deeply and pulled myself into a sitting position on the bed. "Alright, I'm… I'm coming…" I responded quietly.

No reply.

I assumed he had just nodded to himself and left without another word. I slowly opened the door and trudged down the hall and to the staircase.

Just beyond the stairs, Yuki and Shigure waiting for me. I glanced around for Tohru and Kyo, but didn't see them.

Shigure glanced over at me smiled reassuringly. He grabbed my shoulders and smiled at me, but when I didn't return the smile, he frowned and shut his eyes with a defeated sigh.

Yuki seemed too hurt to even look at me.

"Where are Tohru and Kyo?" I asked somewhat curiously.

"Well, they aren't allowed to attend…" Shigure said softly before clearing his throat."Well, let's get going…" he said uneasily.

No one responded.

The three of us simply exited the house without a word.

The car ride was eerily silent and Shigure had me in the front with him.

"You ok…?" Shigure asked quietly, being oddly sensitive.

I nodded silently.

"I'm sorry… about Akito doing this… it must be… stressful."

He refused to make eye contact with me as he gripped the steering wheel.

It was drizzling outside and, for the remainder of the car ride, everyone stayed silent. Shigure pulled the car into the driveway of the Sohma estate shortly.

"Well, we're here…" Shigure said timidly, keeping his voice from shaking. It was painfully evident how nervous he was.

No response.

We all got out umbrellas and trudged through the puddles that were already forming.

When we all stepped inside the main building, everyone was seated quietly inside.

Rin, Haru, Momiji, Ritsu, Hiro, and Kisa were seated on one side and Kureno, Kagura, and Ayame on the other where Yuki and Shigure would sit. Hatori stood next to Akito who smiled at me in the front of the room.

Apart from Akito, no one acknowledged our arrival.

I followed Yuki, who had remained silent all morning, to where we would sit down. Akito chuckled lightly to himself and got up from his seat.

He walked in my direction and loomed over me; however, I didn't acknowledge him. With an irritated scowl, he grabbed my arm abruptly and pulled me to his original seat.

I stumbled over my feet helplessly and could hear several gasps and shifts among the audience of people behind me as he set me down, on my hands and knees, in front of him. I sat down and he smiled as he ran his index finger along the bottom of my chin, causing me to shiver uncomfortably.

I caught a quick glimpse of Yuki behind me as he hid his face behind his bangs, clenching his hands into fists on his knees.

"Now, I think we are all anxious to hear your decision, Ayumi." Akito begin with a smirk.

Everyone settled down, leaving the room unbearably quiet.

"Who do you chose?"

He leaned a little closer to me, his kimono's sleeve slipping off one shoulder as he studied me carefully with his deep grey eyes. Hatori, still by his side, narrowed his eyes as if he was taking pity on me.

I knew that it was right to choose Akito, for Yuki's and everyone else's sake.

If there was a chance that Akito could break the curse on the Sohma family, I would take that chance. I would rather be with Akito and have Yuki no longer cursed and unhappy, then be with Yuki who would be forever cursed.

I wanted, more than anything, for Yuki to be happy.

"I…"

I spoke finally, but struggled to get my thoughts together.

I knew what I wanted to say, but I couldn't. My head and my heart couldn't agree, so I was stuck in a mental limbo.

I knew I had to choose Akito to make everyone happy

However.

"No…" I thought to myself.

"No… I'd rather have Yuki be miserable with me, then have to forget about how I feel."

I always knew that I had feelings for Yuki, but they had never been that strong. All of the little things Yuki had done for me had made me fall for him.

The smiles, the laughs, the little moments. They had kindled something special in my heart that now burned in my throat and mind.

Akito tilted his head as he sat there, studying my actions.

"I never would have thought this to be a difficult decision…" he said impatiently.

"…You're right… it's not a difficult decision." I said calmly, meeting his cold, waiting gaze.

Everyone held their breath around me. I could feel the tension making the air unbearably heavy and it was only going to get worse.

"Oh, now what would be your choice?" Akito said, showing a subtle hint of interest.

I inhaled deeply, making sure I had my courage together.

I knew, at that very moment, my heart and mind agreed.

"…Yuki…"

The room's atmosphere froze and a flash of lightning illuminated the still room.

"What?" Akito asked, surprised and obviously angered.

For the first time since we had arrived, I stopped slouching and straightened up, making direct eye contact with Akito. I studied his dark grey eyes, barely covered by his black hair. They were furious and wild.

I spoke confidently, "I chose… Yuki."

I repeated myself clearly enough so everyone could hear, even with the pouring rain outside. Everyone let out a small gasp and small whispers broke out. However, I kept my gaze concentrated on Akito.

He livid scowl then suddenly turned into a coy smirk, "ha… ha-ha…. Hahahaha~"

Akito started to laugh loudly, almost manically. An evil smirk twisted on his face as he watched me with one eye through his bangs.

"I thought you'd surprise me by playing along, but you really are so predictable…" he shouted covering his eyes with his black hair, continuing to laugh as he sway back and forth, as if he was truly amused by my response.

Suddenly he stood up and grabbed my hair and yanked me up and forward.

I screamed in pain as he pulled me up to my feet, some hair ripping from my scalp because the sheer force of his endless tugging. I continued screaming, but thunder drowned out my cries for help.

Then, all of a sudden, Yuki appeared at my side, trying to pry Akito's hands from my hair.

Hohohoooooo Akito done touched Yuki's girl XD jk jk but seriously. Sorry to end this one on a bit of a cliffhanger RIGHT when things are getting on the violent side! Look of for the next chapter that should be coming a hell of a lot sooner than this one~ leave comments to boost my motivation if yall want more. -3- Anyways I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter!

Stay creative my friends~