Warning: I always give a warning when there's major character death. Consider yourself warned.

The Favored Ones
A Fruits Basket Fanfic by
Nate Grey (xman0123-at-aol-dot-com)
Chapter 2: Trial of Loyalty

"It wasn't supposed to be this way," Kyo said, his voice soft and hollow. He couldn't take his eyes off of the gaping hole in the wall, where Kagura half-fell, half-charged in her desperation not to be seen by anyone. Kyo couldn't blame her. He would never again question what it had taken for Tohru to stand her ground and not flee from him. This was different, however. Tohru hadn't been responsible for him having that form. But the way Kagura was now... this was entirely his fault.

"Of course it wasn't supposed to be this way," Akito replied. "But this is what Kagura wanted. What she requested. What she earned."

Kyo slowly turned his head and stared at Akito. "Don't tell me... she passed a Trial?"

"Not exactly. I made a special exception, though, because Kagura's request was such an unusual one. Since she got her reward before completing the Trial, there is absolutely no way she can back out now, so don't even waste your breath asking."

"This isn't how it works!" Kyo shouted, leaping to his feet. "The whole reason to pass the Trial is-!"

"You don't have to tell me," Akito interrupted. "I am the one who told you the rules. And I can alter them, if I decide the case deserves it. I did not cheat Kagura. I made it very clear, what her reward would cost. And she agreed. You are the one who does not understand. But I don't blame you, this is all very new for you. And since Kagura is no longer here to explain things to you, we'll need someone else to do that." Akito paused, then turned to Ritsu, who stiffened at once. "Ritsu, you're Kagura's closest friend. You don't mind helping Kyo out, do you?"

"I don't mind at all," Ritsu murmured, lowering his head.

"Excellent. You can start right away. Knowing Kagura as well as you do, I'm sure you can imagine what her reward was?"

Ritsu closed his eyes. "She gave her spot to Kyo. No, she exchanged places with him. So now, the Pig is... the outcast."

"And what do you think her Trial will be?"

Ritsu paused for a long moment, then lifted his head and stared at Akito. "This is her Trial, isn't it?"

Akito smiled. "See, you do understand. Kagura now exists to be the object of our collective scorn. And that is a burden she, and every other Pig, will carry forever. Unless one of you graciously decides to suffer in her place, that is."

"And you call that, a lifetime of peace?" Kyo demanded.

"I do. Unlike the former Cat, the Pig will roam our clan's land freely. We couldn't possibly lock her up effectively, she's insanely strong even in human form. Could you even imagine the stream of never-ending repair costs? But as things stand, I should have no reason to punish her." Akito held up Kagura's Juzo beads. "She's being punished enough as it is. You know that better than anyone, Kyo."

Kyo lowered his head, but made no effort to hide the fact that he was shaking with rage. "May I be excused? I don't feel well."

"No, you may not. It seems you still do not understand." Akito leaned forward and lightly stroked Kyo's cheek. "You belong here now, with us. Your attendance is mandatory. That goes for all of you, if it needs to be said. Kagura strengthened our bond with her sacrifice. The least we can do is honor her this way. No one leaves until the banquet is over. In fact, since this is Kagura's last one, she should be here, too." Akito's gaze rolled over them all, then settled on Kureno. "Bring her back, Kureno."

"Yes, Akito." Kureno stood up, then paused, clearly waiting for Akito to hand over Kagura's Juzo beads.

Akito smiled, dangling the beads from one finger, and making no move to hand them over. "Go on, Kureno. I'm sure your words will be enough."

Kureno stared at Akito for a moment, then quietly left the room.

"Why do you hate him?" Yuki asked at once.

Akito blinked. "I'm sure I don't know what you mean. I love Kureno."

"You wouldn't send someone you love to get Kagura, in the state she's in, without a way to subdue her. He's more likely to get-" Yuki trailed off, the anger on his face turning to horror. "Akito. No."

Akito smiled. "Whatever could you mean, Yuki?"

"Don't do this. It's not necessary. Whatever he did wrong-"

"Kureno didn't do anything wrong. He has been incredibly loyal to me all this time. He is a shining example of how you all should be. I mean, if I had to come up with even a single complaint about him, it's really nothing he had any control over."

Yuki frowned. "And what would that be?"

Akito blinked. The teasing and the laughter left that smiling face, and was instantly replaced by malice. "I didn't like the look in his eyes sometimes, that's all."

He had noticed. Of course he had.

Birds no longer gathered around Kureno, as they once had. At least, they did not come to him.

Yes, they were incredibly common in nearly every part of the world. But for nearly all of his adult life, no matter where Kureno was, there had been at least one bird no less than twenty feet from him, but no closer than ten feet.

It was a long time before he accepted it, and even longer before he understood the reason.

His curse had broken. So it was nothing he or his former Zodiac spirit was doing, as the birds were not drawn to him anymore.

So... where did it go? That power and presence that called birds to it. Had it shattered entirely? Was it waiting for a chance to be reborn in a future generation? No, it was neither of those things.

That frightened, lonely child, desperate to keep up the act, would never have allowed it. Akito had taken the power on, until a worthy vessel was born. The birds knew. They did not come unless Akito willed it. And it was Akito's will that Kureno appear to still be the Rooster. So the birds obeyed. They came as close as they dared, to one they understood was no longer one of them. And they obeyed Akito, because Akito was both God and Rooster, for the time being. What choice did they have?

Kureno felt sorry for them. To be ordered to gather in the presence of one they no longer counted among them. Was it painful for them? He didn't know, and he doubted Akito would care if it was.

But this time, this night, was different. The lack of birds had nothing to do with Kureno. The wreckage of Kagura's passage was easy to mark: the enormous hoof-prints in the ground, overturned and broken trees, and that awful stench that clung to everything she touched now. Finding Kagura would be the easy part. But after that? Kureno had a hazy recollection of a few conversations with Kagura: all short and relatively meaningless. He was absolutely the wrong person to be sent after her now, everyone surely knew that, Akito especially.

Bringing Kagura back... that wasn't what Akito truly wanted. And Kureno had known that even before he set out on this insane venture. But he could not refuse. He had promised to stay with Akito, until there was no longer a use for him. And if this was how Akito wanted to end things... then so be it.

Kagura ran until her aching lungs and legs refused to take her any further, and collapsed heavily to the ground. She had known that it would be hard. And she had suspected that Akito would be cruel about it. But in all Kagura's determination, there had been a key oversight: she hadn't stopped to think about the others. Their expressions of shock, sadness, and disgust as she transformed for the first time... that memory would never leave her. But even that was a small regret, at best. This had all been for Kyo, his happiness, his freedom, his future. Tohru would take care of him, of them all. Kagura believed that with her whole heart. And though the pain of imagining Kyo with anyone else was nearly unbearable, Tohru was the only girl that Kagura would ever give him to. That would have to count for something.

She had no idea how much time had passed when she heard the footsteps. It should have provoked an instant reaction from her, but Kagura genuinely didn't care. She was tired, and sad, and as much as she despised her current form, the protection it offered was considerable. She had nothing to fear from any human or animal. They would probably choke on her stink before they could do anything that might result in a fatal wound.

But then that accursed scent drifted into her nose, and rage beyond anything she'd ever felt coated her brain. She could hear Akito's mocking laughter, and where moments ago Kagura had been too tired to do anything, fury pushed her from the ground, and she spun around to face the intruder.

A very dim corner of her mind knew that the intruder's height and shape were wrong, but the rest didn't care. The scent and the laugh were right, and that was all that mattered as she charged forward.

The intruder welcomed her with open arms, something she could never recall Akito having done, and that soft, sad smile... that certainly was not Akito's. Then there was a slight impact, a loud snap, and the overpowering scent of blood that would never wash away.

The laughter only grew louder in her ears, and Kagura lowered her massive head. The rage was gone, swallowed up by the bottomless sense of sorrow at what she had done, what she could never take back.

In the end, it was Hatsuharu who brought them both back to the house.

Kagura, in tears, naked save for Hatsuharu's shirt, and the Juzo beads once again on her arm.

Kureno, draped lifelessly over Hatsuharu's back, his clothing torn and stained with a mixture of blood and dirt.

Akito smiled, and gestured for Hatsuharu to put Kureno down. "Now, we are all together. Why don't we finish our banquet?"

All of them wanted to say something. But, now very much aware that Akito had sent Kureno to his death for apparently no reason, no one dared. They ate in silence, forcing down food, tasting nothing.

And even though Kureno's place at the table was now open, Kagura made no move to occupy it, and instead stayed in the corner of the room. Ritsu was eventually allowed to take a plate to her, but Kagura only forced herself to eat a few bites, obviously robbed of her appetite.

Akito was the first to leave the room, offering nothing as a farewell, other than strict instructions that Kagura was to leave her beads with Ritsu.

Hatsuharu picked up Kureno's body, refusing all attempts to help, and carried it to the next room. He could be heard giving instructions to the servants, the most disturbing part of which was they in no way seemed startled or upset over being asked to attend to Kureno. It was possible that Akito had told them what to expect beforehand, but it was equally likely that this was nothing they hadn't seen previously.

Oddly, it was Ayame who finally spoke up, and odder still, he said something that was in no way humorous or boastful.

"Now is not the time to fall apart. Mourn poor Kureno, and once you have, look after yourselves. Help each other. There is no sense in trying to stand alone anymore." He looked at each of them, but his gaze lingered on Kyo and Rin. "We're in this together. And no matter what the Trial may be for each of us, I suspect there is not one that could not be made easier to bear by leaning on someone else."

"What about Kagura's parents?" Kisa asked softly. "They'll worry when she doesn't come back."

"I can-" Ritsu began to say.

"No." Rin slowly lifted her head. "I'll tell them. I owe her that much. All this time, she kept reaching out to me, and I never-"

"None of us knew this would happen," Hatsuharu said from the doorway. "We thought we had all the time in the world." He paused and glanced at Kyo. "Well, most of us thought that."

"We should all attempt our Trials right away," Hiro stated firmly.

The others stared at him in surprise.

"But... you saw what Kagura's Trial was like," Momiji murmured.

"I also saw that she got her prize," Hiro snapped. "Kyo's here, in her place, like she wanted. You don't have anything in your life that's worth some suffering? Nothing at all?"

"If this is about Ki-" Hatsuharu started to say.

"I don't want you, of all people, saying I can't protect someone I care about, Haru-nii." Hiro glared at him, but couldn't help risking a nervous glance at Kisa, who didn't notice.

Hatsuharu blinked and rubbed his head. "I was only going to say that you should think it over carefully. I know, you don't want to hear that from me, either. But I don't know if Kagura truly considered everything that she was asking for. Or how Akito could twist it, and make her suffer more. I would hate for anything like that to happen to anyone else."

"But it will happen to all of us, won't it?" Yuki asked. "Akito won't make the Trials easy. They're meant to prove our loyalty. We're supposed to be willing to suffer in order to prove our desire to earn God's Favor."

"It will only happen if we attempt the Trials," Shigure corrected. "No one has to attempt them at all. They are entirely optional. You may not be content with your life as it is. But it could always get much, much worse. Leave it to Akito to prove that to any doubters."

"So you won't take the Trial, Gure-nii?" Rin asked.

Shigure shook his head with a small smile. "The only peace Akito could offer me would be a false one, and as for the Trial? I have nothing to prove. Gaining God's Favor would not give me what I want, so I have no reason to seek it. And it may sound bold, but as for suffering, I don't think even Akito could find a way to hurt me more than I already have been."

No one knew quite how to react, but Kisa finally hurried over and gave Shigure a hug. He laughed and patted her head fondly. "Don't worry, this amount of pain is something I've grown used to. If it hasn't killed me yet, I'm not going to drop dead now."

Kyo nearly tore the kimono in two in his haste to get it off, but Ritsu's hand on his shoulder stopped him.

"Don't. It's a gift, and Akito would use any excuse to punish you, even now. Don't offer a reason."

Kyo shook his head, but slid the kimono off carefully and slowly began to fold it. "How can you stand to be near me? Kagura's out there, alone, because of me."

"That isn't true at all." Ritsu dropped his hand. "Before Kagura went back to the forest, she told me. Akito controlled her senses somehow. She only charged at Kureno because she thought he was Akito. Everything that's happened tonight, Akito willed it into existence. Kagura's sacrifice really did strengthen the curse, as well as Akito's power over it. You couldn't have caused this if you'd tried."

"You're wrong. Kagura fell for me, and-"

"That alone wouldn't be enough. A simple crush wouldn't make Kagura go this far. Surely you know that by now?"

Kyo lowered his head. "Of course I know. That makes it worse. She did this for someone who doesn't return her feelings."

"You may not love her the way she loves you. But it's obvious that you do care. It's enough."

"After what's been done to her... what she volunteered to do? It could never be enough."

Ritsu sighed. "Kagura wouldn't want you to feel that way. But if you're determined, you could always visit her. Though... I'd allow a few days for her to adjust. And I think it would be best if I went first, to make sure she's ready for company."

That would have sounded strange coming from any other boy, but Kyo suspected that Ritsu was the best person to see Kagura first, especially if she didn't want to be seen. "Fine," Kyo muttered. "But... make sure she knows that I want to see her. Beads or no beads."

Ritsu gazed at Kagura's Juzo beads, currently wrapped around his own wrist. "I promise I will."

"We should... move in together," Kyo said abruptly. It was nothing he'd planned to say, that much was obvious. But once the words were out, they seemed to spill from his mouth in a stream. "Kagura, she... you know how insecure she can get if I'm around girls. If she can't see me whenever she wants, she'll worry. But if she knows you're with me, if she only smells you on me, she'll know I'm being faithful. Well, not faithful, but that I'm not-"

"I understand." Ritsu shook his head sadly, knowing Kyo was dooming himself to an empty existence that Kagura would never wish on him or demand that he live. But if this was his way of honoring her, then it wasn't Ritsu's place to interfere. "I'll have to speak to my mother, but I don't think it'll be a problem."

The Pig was heartbroken that he was not allowed to join the other animals and God at the feast. So much so that his wails of sorrow went on, long and loud, well into the night.

God was moved, and said to the Rooster, "Go and open the gate for the Pig."

But the Pig, blinded by his tears, and deafened by his own cries, did not hear the gate open, did not hear the Rooster calling, and could not see the Rooster approaching. And when something touched him, he lashed out, thinking he had attracted a predator with his wails. And when he saw what he had done, the Pig fled in terror, knowing he could never join the feast.

The arrangement formed over time. About once a month, sometimes less than that, Ritsu would find a wild boar sitting on his doorstep. He would pack a basket with a kimono, some food and water, and as much soap as he had on hand at the time. Then he would follow the boar into the forest, straight to Kagura. Usually, Kagura would consent to wearing the Juzo beads, both because they made cleaning and conversation easier. But if she was in a foul mood, then all Ritsu could do was leave her the food, and hope the next visit would be better. It almost always was, as even Kagura was offended by her odor, and Ritsu was the only person she would allow to clean her in any form.

They did not talk about much. Kagura did not want to hear how the others were doing. She only asked about Kyo, and sometimes, her family. Ritsu had stopped asking if Kagura would come to the house for a full, proper cleaning. Akito had not forbidden it, but Kagura did not dare risk it. She feared, more than anything else, that Akito might use her to kill again. And she still had nightmares about Kureno, smiling at her, welcoming his death with open arms.

"If only he could have flown away," Kagura always said.

But Ritsu no longer believed that Kureno would have. He'd been loyal to Akito, fatally so. Once Kureno was dead, Akito had no problem telling them that Kureno's curse had broken years earlier. It didn't matter by then: he was dead, and with the curse stronger than it had been in generations, there was no reason for anyone to think they could escape. Kureno had been free, and he still hadn't gone anywhere.

It was still amazing to Ritsu, that Akito could be ever be displeased with such a loyal possession. But that was easy to understand, when viewed from Akito's perspective.

What use was a bird that could no longer fly? After all, not even Akito had the power to re-curse Kureno. But, with Kureno dead, and the curse empowered by Kagura's sacrifice, a new Rooster would eventually be born. One that could fly. And, of course, Akito would desire that.

Ritsu had no proof, and was only guessing. But he thought it was exactly what Akito had in mind. And he feared for that young Rooster, who would no doubt be groomed from birth to be Akito's puppet.

Some Time Later

Kyo had long dreaded this day, but he understood now that there had never been a chance of escape. Events around him had formed this path, and he had to walk it.

Slowly, he reached out and took the photo from his student.

To the uninformed, it was innocent enough. But to Kyo, it was damning evidence.

Rin was seated on a bed, obviously pregnant, staring out of a open window. On her face was an expression that, for her, was almost serene. It was a peaceful scene, or should have been. But the six sparrows lined up at her feet told Kyo the whole story. And he wished he didn't know. But he did, and now that meant either lying to his student, or telling the awful truth.

He met the boy's accusing gaze, unable to deny those quivering brown eyes. "What do you want to know?"

"You have always been honest with me, Master Kyo. You're the only one who has. Even my father lies to protect me. But I need to know the truth. I was told that Rin was the Horse. So how is this possible?"

"It's not hard to figure out. There are two people in this picture."

The boy stiffened. "But... I'm the Rooster."

"I know that, Kureo."

"Then how-?"

"She's your mother."

Kureo stared, his brain both accepting and denying the truth. "That's not... it can't be!"

"Why can't it?" Kyo asked. "I've only ever seen your father bring you to my dojo. Have you been hiding a mother somewhere I'm not aware of?"

"But this is... I know Rin! She won't even look at me!"

Kyo nodded. "She is cursed. Even among us."

"What does that mean?"

"She is unable to love you."

Kureo frowned. "That's stupid. It's only an excuse."

"Are you aware of pleasant, convenient curses?" Kyo asked mildly.

"If she didn't want me, then say that. Don't pretend-"

"She had no choice. And no, your father didn't force her. Rin isn't the one you should be angry at. If she had kept you, she would have hated you, and you would have grown up knowing that your own blood despised you. Giving you up was kind, compared to that. You have known only your father's devotion. So he lied to protect you. Can you not understand why? Would you not do the same?"

Kureo said nothing as Kyo handed the photo back to him.

"When he was young, your father failed to protect someone important to him. Since then, he has been obsessed with protecting his family. It's why he insisted that you come to me for training. Even though no amount of that would have changed his situation. He at least never wanted you to feel powerless."

"Akito," Kureo said suddenly. "Akito says that Rin is the worst sort of woman."

Kyo was silent. He knew that Kureo hand a strong bond with Akito, and the boy did not like it when people disagreed with anything Akito had said. Kureo's respect for Kyo was similar, but different. Lesser. Kyo would defend his own opinions, if it came to that. But Akito was content to let the puppets dance for their master.

"Are you saying I shouldn't hate Rin?" Kureo demanded when Kyo failed to respond.

"I have known them both for a long time," Kyo murmured. "And I have never known Akito to tell me even half of what I needed to know about any situation. I can't tell you how you should feel about Rin. Your feelings are yours alone. But I will say this. Akito has told you what the worst sort of woman is like. But I have never met a single woman that Akito approved of. Maybe you have enough freedom to ask Akito, what the best sort of woman is like. I think, no matter what answer you are given, you will think twice about judging Rin so harshly."

Hatsuharu stood in the bedroom doorway, staring at Rin's stiff back. "He refuses to leave. He wants to talk to you, and then he's promised to never bother you again. I could throw him out, but... it seems like he's already had a bad day."

"Fine," Rin whispered. "Send him in."

After a pause, Kureo stepped into the room. He stayed near the door, both so he could escape quickly, and so Rin wouldn't have to turn her body to avoid looking at him. He didn't particularly want to be seen by her, either.

"Kyo told you?" Rin asked.

Kureo nodded stiffly, then realized she couldn't see him do so. "Yes."

"You have questions."

"Just two."

"Ask, then."

"When you realized your parents didn't want you... how did you go on?" he whispered.

It was the one thing that Rin was completely unprepared for, and yet the one thing she should have expected the most. There was no malice in his voice, only a deep sadness.

Even now, Rin could offer no comfort, and the thought of touching Kureo never once occurred to her. "I was lucky enough to find someone who loved me. You have your father, Kisa, Akira, and Kyo. You're already off to a better start than I had. Do yourself a favor: don't be like me. Don't push away the people trying to help you."

"May I see the scar?"

For a instant, absolute rage took hold of Rin's features. Then, once she realized why he might be asking, it passed. She allowed the white kimono to slip a few inches down her shoulders.

Kureo stared for a long moment. "I can't love you, either. But... I don't think I can hate you."

"You were right," Kureo said, staring at the floor. "I can't accept Rin."

Akito smirked. "I told you she was a waste of space. But at least now, you know for sure. And you never need to see her again."

Kureo nodded. "You warned me and I should have listened. I'm sorry, Akito."

"Nothing to apologize for, my boy. You learned the lesson earlier than most. You are the only useful thing she has ever done."

The more Kureo heard about Kureno, the less he understood the previous Rooster. But it seemed no one else had understood Kureno, either, so maybe it was to be expected. Yet, as every Zodiac member had been present when Kureno walked to his death, it was the one story that Kureo had heard the most. Even now, he did not understand the purpose, or what Kureno had been thinking in his last moments.

What Kureo did understand was that Kureno had been given a task that he was unable to carry out. And how many times had Akito said that he was better than Kureno, a vast improvement? It only made sense that Kureo should be the one to take over that task and see it through.

Kureo stepped slowly into the clearing, pausing at the edge of it. "Hi, Kagura nee-chan."

The monstrous boar sniffed, and shifted slightly, but otherwise did not move from where she was sitting.

After a moment, Kureo carefully approached, hand extended, until he was touching the boar's snout. "I brought some rice balls. Want to split them?"

The boar gave no sign of encouragement, though when he offered food, she did not refuse.

He stayed by her side for an hour, running his hands through her coarse fur, doing his best to remove tangles and debris when he found them. She allowed this, though he honestly didnt know if she appreciated it. He understood, instinctively, that she would never move in his presence. She was too afraid of harming him as she had Kureno. She might have even preferred to never see him. Though, Ritsu had never discouraged him, and he felt certain that would have been the case, if Kagura were unwilling to see him.

When he was done, he bowed to her, as Kisa had taught him, and said, "Thank you for your sacrifice and service." She offered no response, and he did not hear the sounds of her movement until he had left the clearing.

Kureo had barely gotten through the door that evening when a small hand grabbed his sleeve. He smiled and patted the little girl's head. "I'm home, Akira."

She leaned in, just shy of hugging distance, and deeply inhaled his scent, a funny habit of hers that he had never been able to break.

"You're late today, Kureo," Kisa said as she emerged from the kitchen. "Can I make something for you?"

He stared at her, suddenly unable to speak. This woman, who lived in the same house, washed his clothes, cooked his food, saw him off every morning and welcomed him home every night, had even brought her daughter to be his playmate and sister. He knew it wasn't all for him, or not only for him, but that didn't matter.

This house was his father's, and it was a home that man had built for them all, with his lies and his protection. And now that Kureo knew he could have had so much less... any real anger towards his father was forgotten.

Kureo shook his head and took Akira's hand, giving her a small grin that was instantly returned. "I have all that I need, Kisa-san."

"Were you ever going to tell me about Rin?" Kureo asked the following day.

His father's motions slowed, but did not stop. Kisa was an excellent cook, but she had not always lived with them, and Kureo had survived on his father's cooking until then. The knife continued to slice, but with increased precision, as if either the act itself or the conversation was now demanding tremendous effort.

"Not unless I had to. Rin preferred it that way, and I... thought it was best. No. I didn't want to tell you. So much pain, is..." He stopped, unable or unwilling to continue.

"Did you at least love each other at some point?"

He saw it, and wished he hadn't: his father almost laughed.

"It wasn't that type of situation, Kureo. We did not choose each other, not really. At the time, our options for what we desperately wanted were limited. We had goals that were... aligned, so we agreed to work together."

"You make it sound like a business partnership, instead of-"

"That's exactly what it was. I cared for Rin, as a friend. I still do. But we were never supposed to be together the way we were then. And if things were ideal-"

"I never would have been born."

He sighed and gently wiped away his son's tears. "I can never regret you, Kureo. From the moment I first saw you, I knew: you were my son, and any pain I went through to obtain you, was worth it. Yet, in a perfect world... you would be blessed with better parents, who loved each other and you most of all. That is not what you had, and that, I am sorry about that."

"I want to understand. I want you to explain why I exist."

"You won't accept the answers now. When you finish school... yes, I'll tell you then. And if anything should happen to me before then, have Rin tell you. She won't like it, not at all, but she's the only other person who knows all of the details. Remind her of that. That I kept my promise to her." He started to say something else, then stopped when Kisa walked in, Akira trailing behind her.

"Hiro-chan, stop. You're mangling those carrots," Kisa complained, taking the knife from him and gently bumping him aside with her hip.

Kureo quickly stuffed his knuckle in his mouth to keep himself from laughing at the stubborn expression on his father's face.

"I wasn't mangling, Kisa! I was a little distracted, that's all!"

"Look, these ones are sliced way too thick, Akira can't possibly eat them-"

"Then I'll eat them! All food in this house isn't for the smallest mouth!"

Kureo shook his head and took Akira's hand. "Why don't we watch some TV in the other room, until the adults stop behaving like they're closer to our age?"

Akira nodded and silently followed his lead.

Continued in Chapter 3: Trial of Purity

"Akito wants a new Rooster, right away. And I have to be the damn thing's mother. I thought it would be bad enough, if Akito sent some stranger that clearly didn't care about me in here. But you're worse, because of Haru and Kisa. But I know if it's not you, it will be someone that only wants to use and hurt me. So it has to be you, Hiro."

Endnotes:

I know Akira is usually a boy's name, but there are exceptions.