Yuki was with the rest of cousins while Tohru was with Kagura in the kitchen preparing tonight fondue. Akito had succeeded to make sure that Momiji won't hug her again tonight and she was now looking at the TV with Kisa and Hiro with great attention. Yuki knew she don't have a TV in her house so she was probably enjoying this. However, he found curious how she looked familiar with the engine. Maybe it was because of the mangas Yuki gave her when they were youngers.

"Uno" said Haru, putting six red and Rin pouted while Kyo gasped in lost. Momiji added a skip card for Kyo and the cat started to roast him. Yuki held back a comment about how noisy was Kyo and he drawn a card. The game ended when Haru put his last card. Kyo asked to do it the revenge but Rin walked in a corner and started to draw there. She had enough interaction for now. Haru shrugged turned his head toward the TV. Momiji jeered at Kyo for being ignored.

Yuki sighed, glad that Kazuma was out for today. It happened more and more by the time lately, often in others dojo to give help and coming late the night. Ayame had once came a night, telling that he found unacceptable that his dear little brother was left at home with a girl and a brute without any guardian to watch them. Yuki really wanted to murder him this time; well he wanted each time he was seeing Ayame, but he had to admit…Lately, seeing his brother was less a bother than it was before.

But the fact was that he didn't like people making innuendo about him and Tohru, it sounded wrong, sick. As if they were talking about his mother. Though, he had to admit, watching Tohru and Kyo getting embarrassed was enjoyable. However, knowing that they got so few time left was heartbreaking, he could see in both eyes how sad they were by this. Yuki stared at Akito's back, maybe…

When he stretched his arm toward her, the door slid open to a Hatori accompanied with Shigure. "Ah! So cold!" said the latter, sneezing. Yuki frowned, throwing a deathly glare to the dog. He wanted him to get away from Akito. He did not forgive him for abandoning her and hurting her without a reason. It has been horrible. He remembered that he called her, trying to console her, but she hung up the moment he mentioned the subject.

Why Shigure was here, what for? He did abandon her and now he was swanning back. Yuki wanted to strangle him, worse than he wanted to with Ayame. At least, his problem with his brother was his stupidity, if Yuki tried to not think about the fact that Ayame had ignored his whole existence until he graduated middle school. But Shigure…He really have been horrible to Akito, and knowing that he did hurt her. To Yuki's eyes, he wasn't allowed to be here, and he was sure that Akito agreed with him. Anyway, he decided that tonight, he was going to keep the man away from her a much as possible.

Akito spared a quick glance at him before taking her attention back on the TV; Shigure didn't try neither to talk to her, as if they both agreed to ignore each other. Yuki made a face, yeah, it was fair. But he had expected Akito to jump on him and scream, ignoring him was just…Out of character.

"Ah! Shigure-san, welcome!" Said Tohru, coming out of the kitchen, wiping her dirty hands on her apron. "I'm really glad that you are here!" she said in delight and Shigure winked "Of course, I couldn't miss one of your dishes Tohru-kun~" She simply laughed cheerily, not understanding Shigure insinuation, or maybe she was too mature and decided to ignore it with a big smile…No, Tohru was too gullible, she just didn't understand. Anyway, it didn't matter because Hatori pulled him away by the ear toward the kotatsu.

"Oh no Haa-san, please, it hurts!" he whined and Yuki enjoyed each one of his pained noise. His attention was back on the TV when he recognized Mogeta. He had a thought about Machi, it looked like she liked that childish anime. Unconsciously, he continued to watch, thinking that maybe he will be able to talk about it with the student council treasurer in the future. Yuki liked the idea. He was so into it that he didn't noticed Akito standing up and walking out of the door, nor Shigure following her a few time later.

He turned his head right and left "Where is Akito?" he asked, hiding his worries. "Ah, she said she was coming back." Answered Haru who was making a braid with Rin's hair, Yuki frowned and walked out of the room, searching for Akito and hoping that Shigure hasn't find her yet. He climbed the stair and hear voice in an empty room, the one where Kazuma was stocking useless furniture.

Yuki saw Shigure's back through ajar doors, he was ready to walk in when he saw him and Akito suddenly hugging. Shigure caught her and they turned joyfully together, there were happiness in that act and it made Yuki stop in his track. He found himself impossible to move anymore. Akito had put her head on his shoulder and he was kissing her forehead. "Here, I'm here Akito…" he said gently, in a voice that Yuki never heard coming from him. It was so soft, and it sounded so genuine, it was so out of character. Suddenly, Akito burst into tears and Shigure was cradling and hushing her. Yuki's eyes widened in shock, they looked like…lovers.

"I was so scared" she said between sobs and he put his chin on the top of her head. "Here, here" he said again "Tell me, what happened? Hatori told me you refused to tell him." He said, wiping her tears off. She whimpered "it's…It's your fault!" she sniffed and Shigure scoffed. "What?" he sounded amazed, as if she just told him a joke. She grabbed him by the collar "It's because you left marks!" she roared and Yuki heart missed a beat, too much information, he knows that he shouldn't be here, that he should go but his feet were taking root in the ground. Shigure sneered "I call that marks of ownership" he said proudly. Akito gritted her teeth and Yuki felt that his cheeks were too hot for comfort.

"She found out Shigure!" she said angrily "And she…" she brought her hand to her neck, the colors of her face draining. Shigure took her wrists and pulled them on his chest. She looked at him with horrified eyes, tears threatening to pour out again. "Shigure, she arranged a marriage" she said with a broken voice and Shigure stood silent. Yuki's eyes widened in shock; they were... "He…When he came in my house, he…" started to cry again.

He rubbed his hand on her forearm and pulled her closer in his embrace. "I hated it" she said in a whisper "His breath, his hands and lips on me…" she sobbed and Shigure had a dark look on his face that she couldn't see but that scared Yuki. "It made me sick…" she continued before hiding her face in the crook of his neck.

"How did you go?" he asked in a quiet voice, its softness was clashing with the raw anger he was showing in his eyes. Yuki had the impression of seeing for the first time the real man that was Shigure. "I threw a vase on his head when he tried to put his hands in my…" she stopped herself, gasping in horror by remembering. "A vase?" he asked and she nodded "Yeah, that's my girl" he said sweetly and proudly, hugging her tight. She had a subtle smile and she sniffed.

Yuki felt like he heard already too much and he tried to take the control back of his body. Moving his shivering leg was hard but when he succeeded, the other followed and he walked back to his cousins.

How it happened? Those two...Obviously they were lovers, but how? Since when? It didn't make any sense, Akito was locked in her house and nobody could go in...So how...

"Hey Yuki, are you alright? Look like you saw a ghost." Said Kagura who was setting the table. Hatori put his hand on his forehead, worried. "Nn, no, I'm alright, I just feel a little dizzy, I'll be better if I sit."

"You found Akito?" asked Haru when he took his place next to him. "Ah, yeah, she went out to take some fresh air before eating." He lied. Akito and Shigure came back a moment later. She looked like the same the have been before she went out, as if she did not break down in Shigure's arms earlier and Yuki thought painfully that it must have happened a lot of times to her to the point she has mastered the trick.

Shigure made a big and stupid smile when Yuki's eyes met his. The boy gulped, unable to face him.

They were all conversing vividly around the table. Shigure spotted Rin and Akito talking about what the girl wanted to do after high school. "I want to do art, but without money it's hard…" she said, chewing a vegetable. Akito listened with attention and Tohru came after to tell her how Rin was talented. Shigure smirked at this, it was funny and Shigure wondered if it was a consequence of the curse, but all the zodiacs were somehow very good in respective fields. As an example, he and his mabudachi. Hatori was one of the best doctors they could have, and he had a psychic power, Ayame was able to sew the finest dresses and he, he had nothing to prove anymore with his writing.

He allowed himself to glance once more at Akito. Shigure was glad to see her talking with the rest of the zodiac, she looked so happy. However, even if he was glad by seeing her cheerful, this situation will probably bring more complications. Now that she had met the rest of the zodiacs, Akito will be eager to stay by their side. She was creating links with them. But it will be harder for her to leave. Even if Akito was starting to revolt against Ren -and it was already a huge improvement, he was so proud of her; It won't be enough.

He was so angry at that faceless person who touched places that nobody else but him had the right to, that person who made her cry. And Yuki saw it all, what a drag. Shigure rested his chin on his hand, taking a piece of meat from the nabe pot. For sure, he couldn't let Akito go back there, and she would refuse to. However, Shigure was aware that she couldn't stay here. She wasn't safe in the estate. And even if that man refused to marry Akito after what happened, Ren will probably find another suitor and it could continue for a long time. Shigure wished that Akito had done more than throwing a vase on his head, but she must have been terrified. He was relieved she succeeded to escape before worse things could have happened.

The truth was, everything happened at the right time. With his savings and the money he had earned thank to his best-seller, he had finally bought a house for him and Akito to live. Everything was ready, all he needed was a little more money. That's why he arrived here later than planned. He had a long meeting at the bank but it had ended well. And then, as if fate decided to play in his side, Hatori called him to say that Akito escaped from her house.

Now he needed to find another moment in private with her to talk again with her about the opportunity to run away together. In hope that this time, she won't scream at him and will listen with attention. Shigure felt really guilty to think that but…The behavior of this man had probably changed Akito's mind, but once again, seeing by the way of how she was glad to be around her zodiacs, the chance of her wanting to stay were high. Maybe she will try a putsch or something. He guessed a part of the family will be glad by her doing it, but Shigure disliked the idea of her staying in this place, even if as the chief of the family. No, Shigure wanted her and him to start a new life together and he was going to do it.

He was the man who had been able to catch the sun in his muzzle. Nothing could stop him to achieve his dreams and desires.

"Ah, Akito-san! It's such a shame that you couldn't see Ricchan!" Said Kagura who was crushing an exhausted Kyo in a hug. When she saw the goddess frowning, she quickly added "He is the cursed of the Monkey!" she put a finger in the air. "Richan is funny~" laughed Momiji and by seeing the way she scowled, Akito wasn't believing him. "Why he isn't here?" she asked after swallowing her cabbage.

"He is a student in college, so he couldn't come here." Explained Yuki. "Ah! But maybe we should call Aaya!" said Shigure in a jeer only to have Kyo and Yuki taking him by the collar before he could reach the phone "don't even think about it bastard."

"But, i thought Akito-san wanted all of us to be gathered" he tears-faked.

"As if Akito would want to meet that moron!" groaned Kyo and Hiro turned over Akito's direction "believe me Akito-san, you don't lose anything by not meeting him." She tried to open her mouth to explain that she already met him, but Shigure saw she decided against it and rolled her eyes, looking blasé. Hatori send her an understanding glance. Haru patted the sheep's head "You're really respectful tonight, it's refreshing…"

"What are you saying? I'm always respectful!" talked back Hiro, his chin high. "Huh, what about that time you called Tohru-chan a peasant?" said Momiji with a cat alike smile.

"I don't know what you're talking about" said Hiro with provocative eyes. "You called Tohru a what?!" roared Kyo, still holding Shigure by the collar.

"Ah uhm I…" tried to say the girl, trying to ease the mood. Hatori was massaging his temple, wondering who he will have to sew once they will stop fighting, Rin already fled in another room. "Well, isn't that true though? Yuki found her in a tent!" Hiro said with a smirk, shrugging and continuing to taunt Kyo.

Then, as an angel, little Kisa pulled him by the sleeve and said in a quiet voice that fitted her angelic look "Hiro-kun, it's a bad thing to say…You should apologize…" the boy mouth went agape and his cheeks took a reddish colors, then puffing, he apologized.

"It's alright Hiro-kun" said Tohru in a smile "I already forgave you!" she laughed delighting and Hiro called her stupid. Shigure sneered at this, they were so young, he wanted to protect Tohru so much, Shigure somehow understand how he felt.

They all helped Tohru to clear off the table and then Kisa's mother, so protective about her daughter fetched her girl. Shigure pulled Akito in Tohru's bedroom, where she was going to sleep tonight, before the mother could see her in the house. "You won't take me in your house?" she asked quietly and Shigure smiled and shook his head. "Nah, they still searching you outside, it would be too dangerous for you." He explained, putting a lock of her hair behind her ear. Frowned and pulled him off.

"So you're going to leave me again." She said, crossing her arms and Shigure had to hold back a sigh. He preferred to stay quiet, not wanting to fight here where the others could hear them. Akito moaned in frustration "Why you say nothing?!" she said.

"If it's just to fight, I don't see the need." He answered, staring still the wall indifferent when he heard her gasp. From the corner of his eyes, he saw her hugging herself. "Akito…" he called, wondering if she was doing in purpose or if she was serious.

"What if she finds me here…" she said "It's where Yuki live, it would be logic that I'm here…" and Shigure smiled softly. "Akito…"

"I'm serious. I don't want to go there Shigure! What if he is still here and that he wants to…" she anxiously wrapped her arms around her body, shielding it as if the man was in the room. "Akito, it's already late. And before being Yuki's house, it's Kyo's" he had a sour laugh "they fear the cat."

"I don't want to stay here" she said stubbornly and Shigure took her by the chin. He could see how her eyes were wet "Shigure…" she called "Take me away please…Take me away from here." She said.

"Akito if they saw you outside it will be-"

"I wasn't saying this! I want to go away from here! I…I want to leave the estate…" It was all he needed. He slowly took her in his arms and she leant into his body, feeling safer here. "Really Akito?" he said "You want to leave your dear, dear zodiacs?" he asked with a hint of sadism in the voice, he felt guilty but he couldn't help it, he won.

She sniffed in his shoulder but she nodded "I have enough, please…" she said breathlessly. He held her tighter and rubbed her back and then put his nose in her hair, scenting it. "I bought a house today" she rose her head, the eyes wide and he smiled kindly. "A house just for us at half of hour from Inuyama…" She frowned, not liking the name of the city and he scoffed "Yeah, I know, listen, I found it funny" he quickly added before resting his cheek on the top of her head.

"Just the two of us…" she said slowly. "But what if they find us?" she asked and Shigure laughed "haha, we just need to disappear then~" he said playfully, winking at her and she frowned, realizing slowly what was his plan. "We are going to leave everything behind us? But, what about Yuki? Or, or your job? And Hatori? You will never see them again"

Shigure kissed her gently before winking. "Sacrifice everything for love, isn't that romantic." He laughed, as if he wasn't the one who will lose the more. "But, how will we earn money?"

"Hm, I contacted a new edition house there with a new pen name, they have been charmed~ Next month, sir Ichiro Minagawa will publish his first book." He made a victory sign and Akito rolled her eyes. "Be serious" she said and Shigure shrugged "But I am?" he laughed and framed her face with his hands and he looked at her gravely, not scared of showing her who he was, she already knew. "I'm not throwing a tantrum, I've been thinking about it for a long, long time"

Akito expression did not change, she was frowning as ever. Shigure knew there were many things she wanted to say but she didn't know how to approach the subject. However, he won't allow her back-fire this. "Can you promise that if I go with you, I will never see her again?" she finally said, surprising him.

"Yeah, I can assure you this." He said "I won't let her hurt you" he stuck his forehead to hers and she closed her eyes, humming before slowly smiling. Her cheeks took an adorable pink color. "When are we going?" she asked, vividly and Shigure chuckled "If you want, we can go tomorrow" he smiled and Akito's eyes widened in joy. "Let's take a train and go!" she said loudly, cupping his hands on her face and they both laughed cheerfully.

"No, you can't…" interrupted a voice. The lovers turned their head toward the door. "Tohru?" asked Akito in a small voice, the eyes wide in shock.

"You can't!" Repeated Tohru, shivering in anguish. "I won't allow you to leave!"

•Inuyama is a city in Aichi region