7)  Lend your shoulder for her to cry on and your ears to hear her out. This makes her feel free to express her sadness.

"Honda-san…"

She giggled. "Sohma-kun, I'm not scared."

He clenched his fist. "That's not it." He stared at her. "I'm sorry that I scared you yesterday."

She smiled. "Ne, I'm fine. You guys are great friends. To tell you the truth," she implied. "I don't believe it."

"Really?"

"Yes, because all of you are so good to me." She stared at the window. It was nearly sunrise and also about time for her to see the Sohma clan head. "It was hard to imagine once you all are going to…"

"Please don't think that way." He sat down beside her and held her hand. "You heard us yesterday. We have no intention to kill you. It's just… our clan head is very hard to understand."

"I see."

"He's dying," he continued. "so are very patient with him. Once he loses control of his temper, he might…"

"I understand. That's why I need to see him. So that we could settle things clearly and peacefully." She stood up happily. "I never had negotiations before but I'll try my best to understand him, like I understood all of you."

"Honda-san…" If you only knew…

"So…" Shigure peeked inside the bedroom. "Are you love birds ready?"

"Eh?" Tohru sweatdropped.

"Let's go." Yuki said quickly as he held her hand and walked out of the room. They went outside and the Sohmas are there.

"Kyou, once it gets serious," Kagura pointed. "Take them somewhere far, okay?"

"I know, I know." He pouted. "I'm a driver. I can handle this, Kagura-san."

"Please…" she sniffed. "Come back alive, okay?" then she hugged him.

"What?!"

Kisa giggled. "They look so good together!"

"Yeah, but they looked so much better!" Momiji pointed at Tohru and Yuki. Kisa smiled.

"Yes, I think they'll be ok, right?"

Tohru looked at Hatori, who was staring at her differently. "I'll be back."

"Yuki," he stared at his cousin. "when it gets serious, you don't have to fully dedicate your life. Just run." He pointed.

"I will."

"Take care of her." Then he looked at Tohru. "Take care of yourself. Don't goof around."

"Yes." She smiled.

Why is she still smiling even at this moment? The doctor wondered. She doesn't even know who he is!

"Tohru, take care." Haru patted her head.

"I will," she said as she got on the car. Yuki followed her inside.

"Take care of them, Kyou." Hatori said. "Make sure you drive fast once something happens."

"I will and I won't let you down!" Kyou yelled as he got in. "So, where are we going?"

"To the main house, baka neko." Yuki ordered.

"Somehow, nezumi, I get irritated once you order me something." He started he car and drove swiftly away from the house. The little ones waved goodbye and the rest just looked at it. Shigure glanced at Hatori, whose face had fallen into fear.

I've never seen Hatori so worried since Kana passed away. He wondered. In some way, I also get the same feeling…

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

Tohru stared at the window. They were driving so fast which made her feel dizzy. Kyou is such in a hurry, I wonder why…

"If you feel dizzy, stare at things that's farther than you." Yuki suggested. "That way, you can regain your vision."

"Eh?" she asked. "No. I'm just thinking…"

"Are you scared?"

"Huh? Oh, a little." She looked at him. "After what Hatori warned and the looks of Shigure and Haru, I feel like your clan leader is some kind of a murderer."

He laughed. "Maybe. Something like that…"

"So he IS a murderer."

"Don't worry." Yuki assured. "I'm right here with you. Also, baka neko knows martial arts. You're completely defended against him."

"Thank you," she smiled. "Oh yes, can I get his name?"

"Whose name?"

"Your clan leader." She nodded. "What is his name?"

Yuki looked away and bit his lip. "A-Akito Sohma." He blurted.

"Akito-san…" she repeated.

"Honda-san, I think it's better if you won't address him in that name." He recommended. "Only Sohmas can call him that."

"I see…" she whispered.

"It's okay. It'll be alright." He smiled.

"You're worried." She examined Yuki's face. He blushed for a moment but finally became serious.

"Honda-san, he's not an ordinary assassin. He does things quick and successfully." He explained. "He might look weak but he's untouchable."

"Now you're worrying me."

"I'm just pointing out facts." He said. "Just stay close to me and you'll be fine."

"Ok." She nodded. Soon, the car stopped and Kyou looked at them.

"Go on." The cat said.

"You should open the door for us, right?" Yuki pointed.

"Yes, but now, it's different business." Kyou grinned. "We sit here now as Sohma cousins. I'm not the one you ordered around."

"Baka---"

"It's alright, Sohma-kun. We'll go out by ourselves." Tohru nodded. "Please take care of the car, Kyou---"

"Not so fast." Yuki glared. "Kyou is coming with us."

"Wha---"

"The more the merrier." The mouse smiled. "You're coming with us, whether you like it or not."

"Ok…" Kyou mumbled as he got out of the car as well. They all stared at the main house. "It's been a while, right?"

"Yes… it has been a while." Yuki grinned. "Are you ready, Honda-san?"

"Yes…"

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

Shigure wiped off the dust on the dinner table. "All clean!"

"Shigure, that's suppose to be my job!" Kagura pouted.

"Gomen, I don't really have nothing to do." He smiled.

"Why don't you go to your office and write something? Mit-chan will soon call and she'll ask for---"

"I know, I know. I'm way off the deadline." He assured.

"You'll do ANYTHING just to get yourself out of this mess." Kagura giggled. "But soon, she will call for sure--" Suddenly the phone rang.

In a split second, Shigure ran towards the kitchen. "Tell her I'm busy!"

"Gure! Answer the phone!" she commanded.

He walked out of the room. "Ok, ok. I'll face the fact. She'll get angry at me again."

"Where are your writing spirits all of the sudden?" she glared at him. "Ever since you got your job as a butcher, you don't write those novels anymore."

"What can I say? She changed my life…" he said dreamily.

"Ah, Gure-san." She pointed at the door. "The phone?"

"Oh yes, the phone, right." He laughed. "It's still ringing…" Then he picked it up and answered it. "Hello. Honda residence."

"Shigure…" the voice came. "Even you sound different."

Shigure's eyes opened wide. "Akito-san."

"But still remember me. How are you, Shigure-san?"

"What happened? Have you met her?"

"Her? Ah, Honda Tohru-san. Yes, I saw her come in the house with the neko and Yuki." Akito whispered. "She was brave enough to enter the Sohma gates."

"Akito, please don't hurt her." Shigure pleaded.

"Why not? It would be less interesting when I won't---"

"AKITO-SAN!"

"I won't, Shigure." He laughed. "Instead, I'll just strike her little heart swiftly and surely."

"What are you planning, Akito?!"

"Let's just say that you'll be needing a doctor once they get home." Akito laughed evily. "By the way, I won't live in the main house anymore, since she already knew who I am and where I live."

"Akito, what are you---"

"Don't go looking for me. If you do, I would ruthlessly kill her… or any other Sohma who disobeys." Then he hung up.

Kagura overheard everything and ran toward Shigure. "What is he planning? Are they alright?" she asked worriedly. "Tell me, Shigure-san!"

"Call Hatori." He ordered and left the house. The main house might be far but I can't leave them. Shigure ran faster and wondered. Tohru, Yuki, Kyou… please be careful. You don't know what lies ahead…

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

"It's so empty…" Tohru whispered. "… and quiet."

"I know. And it gives me the creeps." Kyou whispered back.

"Be quiet." Yuki ordered. "There might be some traps somewhere. Keep your eyes open."

Tohru stopped as she saw a shadow in a room. She looked closely at it. "Sohma-kun… there's somebody--"

"I know. Let's go." He invited as he stepped forward.

"Why do we have to follow you in every move you do?!" Kyou whispered angrily.

"This is for her safety." He replied. "Any objections?"

"I don't" Tohru replied.

"Tohru-kun, that was a hypothetical question." Kyou pointed. "You don't have to answer that."

"Oh, I see." She giggled silently.

They went closer to the odd shadow. Tohru felt her hands shaking but Yuki was there with her so she didn't worry. As soon as they were close enough, they examined the shadow.

There was a person, tied up in a chair. He was bleeding, dying and, worse, a person who Tohru know. She gasped as she recalled the face in her mind.

"Father!" she ran towards him.

"Honda-san! Don't---" Yuki tried to resist but she completely focused at the merchant.

"What happened? Who did this to you?!" she cried.

"Run…" the merchant whispered. "It's… a trap, Tohru."

"I can't leave you here!" she struggled at his position. "Please hang on."

Yuki went towards them and cut the binding ropes. "We have to get out of here---"

"As soon as you finish us…" a group of assassins appeared.

"Who are you?!" Kyou asked.

"We were sent by our master, Akito, to kill her." one of them pointed Tohru. "Anyone who gets in our way will be eliminated, even if it's a Sohma."

"Kyou, I think we need each other here." Yuki went to his attacking position.

"I guess you're right. But only this once." He grinned.

"Kyou Sohma. Yuki Sohma. Your life ends here." They started to attack each other.

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

"What do you mean?" Hatori stood up from his seat and grabbed Kagura who was nearly collapsing.

"I…want you… to go back… in Tohru's house…" she panted. "Shigure's order… something happened… main house…… Akito called……"

"Akito called?" he asked. "What did he say?"

"Main house……Tohru… help…" she tried to find the words.

"Cmon," he carried her in his back. "Let's use my car."

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

Kyou collapsed on the floor, as well as Yuki. "They're too fast…"

"I see that you're quitting already." One of the assassins laughed. "Just stay still and let us finish our job." They grinned as they went towards Tohru.

"Honda-san! Run now!" Yuki yelled.

Tohru wasn't moving. She was kneeling beside the merchant and was weeping heavily.

"End of the line, Honda Tohru. May you rest well… in hell" the raised their swords and---

"Don't move!!!" Shigure yelled as the police came in.

"What the---"

"You're under arrest." The police said firmly as they grabbed the assassins one by one. "You have the right to remain silent. Anything that you will say will be used against the court of law. You have the right to have an attorney. If not, we'll provide you one."

"Gure!" Yuki looked at his cousin, who was grinning at him.

"Do you think I'll let you experience all the fun?" he said then he sat down on the floor. "Whew. Running from the house to the police station and to the main house made me so tired… and hungry."

Yuki laughed but stopped once his eye caught Tohru on the other end of the room. "Honda-san!" he yelled as he approached her. "Is he ok?"

Tohru bit her lip. "He's…" she whispered. "… not breathing anymore…" Tear continued to fall from her eyes. Her hands were shaking yet her body was stiff. "He's… not ok…"

Yuki cupped her face. "Please don't cry…"

"I… don't know…" she sniffed. "…what they want…"

He stroke her hair. "Shh, Honda-san…"

"Why… Is he really that serious?" she asked. "Is he serious when he said that he would kill me and my father?!"

"There's a reason behind this…" he whispered. "Please understand…"

"No, Sohma-kun…" she looked at him. "I don't understand…" She rested her head on his lap and cried again. All that he could do was to rub her shoulders lightly, calming her down.

Akito… I won't let you make her cry again…

I know I've changed… but it is for the better.

You trapped me in your dark world… and she's the one who led me to the light.

I won't forgive you… as a Sohma and as her protector…

*******

Oh, to clear things up for a bit. Thank you for that kind reviewer (Taina) who noticed my mistake. Remember, if read it carefully, Tohru hugged Ayame and he didn't transform. Well he SHOULD transform but my idle hands are so addicted to typing to I kind of missed it. This story hold the Jyunishi curse. I didn't change that. (Actually I'll be using it later…^^)

Please continue to read!!! There will be 3 more chapters and a two-part epilogue! It's almost finished! (I'm so into Yukiru ^^)