A Shadow Reborn- Chapter Four
AN- Thanks-----To Anonymous-Well. Someone doesn't like Akito very much, do they? Thanks for the input!
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Last Chapter
"Sometimes, being traumatized at a young age…. Leads to sporadic memories of the event later in life…Can you imagine the emotional toll that would take?"
"But my brother's strong, you know. He hasn't lost to Kyo once. But I'm worried for another reason."
"You know Yuki's physical strength has nothing to do with it. Now, why else is it you're worried?"
"Hatori, Akito wants to see him."
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The Previous Day
Ayame kneeled, facing straight ahead. He didn't dare risk looking aside to the man that lay to his left, whose eyes pierced through Ayame, but who did not speak. The room was dimly lit with candles; the flames flickered spastic, jerked shadows across the walls. Strong incense sat burning in the center of the chambers. It was already and unbearably warm night, and the added fumes dizzied Ayame, even made it harder to think. The atmosphere in the room was so different from that cold night seven years ago, when Yuki had been beaten nearly to death. Ayame remembered how the air stung to get to his helpless brother, and how the merciless wing howled and advanced from all sides.
"Do you know why you have been sent here, Sohma Ayame?"
Ayame snapped out of his reverie at the sound of Akito's low voice, which had been smoothed with age. Ayame remained facing the front. "No, sir."
"And do you know why you were sent here seven years ago?"
He swallowed, then answered. "You wanted Yuki, and you couldn't get to him without taking me in, too."
"Very good. And shortly after you were sent away. For two reasons. One, I had no reason to keep you here if I didn't have your brother as well. Secondly….you disobeyed me." Akito narrowed his eyes at Ayame, who was struggling to focus while under the heated intoxication of the room. Ayame was scared, and Akito knew it. "A deliberate defiance to my authority. I don't know why Shigure kept Yuki, but you had no reason, no right, to send him away from me in the first place. That boy belongs to me." Ayame flinched, but Akito continued. "You know what I want. And can't you get it to me?"
"Y-yes. I mean, no!….I-"
"What you mean is…. You can, and you will. I haven't seen him in seven years, and now you have one week to get him to me. He may be accompanied, and he can expect to return to the Sohma house within the night. Dismissed."
"Sir?
"Leave."
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Unaware of the issues at hand at the Main House, Kyo and Yuki ate lunch in silence at the Sohma house. Not much was going on- Yuki was making his way through all the parts of the newspaper, as Kyo eyed the comics at the bottom of Yuki's pile.
"Just take it, baka neko. You know I don't read them, anyway."
As Kyo lunged for the comics, Shigure came in and sat down, and looked at Yuki.
Yuki noticed. "What's wrong?"
"I just talked to Ayame."
Yuki laughed. "I'm sorry."
Shigure didn't move, and Yuki quieted, getting concerned. "This is serious, Yuki. He told m…about you and Akito." This caught even Kyo's attention, and he looked up from his comics at Shigure, then the other as Yuki's expression hardened and he spoke.
"And why would Ayame need to tell you about that? It was a long time ago. Akito is fortunately not a problem anymore for me. I don't even really remember him."
"Do you remember any of him?"
Yuki's eyes flashed. "Yes."
"He's requested you to go see him."
There was a slight pause. "Now?"
"Within the week."
Yuki stood, with an almost vengeful look in his eyes. "Fine."
"Well, I don't really think you should go," Shigure said uncertainly. Kyo remained silently confused, looking back and forth between the two.
"Why not?" Kyo saw Yuki getting more aggressive than he had ever been in their fights. "Why not? He can't hurt me anymore."
"Why is that?"
"Because now, I can beat the hell out of him."
Shigure looked down as Yuki stormed out of the room. Things don't work that way with Akito, Yuki.
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Hatori brought in a plate of sushi and set it in the center of the table. Ayame looked around as his cousin took a seat across from him. Hatori lived alone in his apartment, and you could tell. Hatori was by no means bad off- his doctoring had never been more successful- but he certainly didn't waste much money or space on decorations and amenities. The only thing that caught Ayame's attention was a traditionally framed photo. He recognized Hatori from a few years ago, and the smiling woman beside him. Hatori looked happier in the photo than Ayame had ever seen him. Everyone in the Sohma family knew the story of these two- yet another would-be happy family Akito had single-handedly torn apart.
"So. Have you decided what to do about your brother?"
Ayame shifted uncomfortably. This wouldn't be easy. "As of now, he's going to have to see Akito. We can't help that- it was an order. Defying him isn't an option."
"It worked last time," Hatori pointed out. "You probably saved Yuki's life. Though it took you a while."
"And I can't go against Akito again. Don't you understand? Akito is going to get to my brother whether we take Yuki to him or not." He continued, before Hatori had a chance to interrupt. "At least this way, someone can stay with Yuki- he won't be alone with that man. Akito said someone could stay with him.
Hatori sat back. He didn't like how this was going, what this was leading to. "Someone?"
Ayame drew a breath. "Just hear me out. I have a week to get Yuki to Akito. He doesn't have to stay long, and Akito said I could stay with Yuki. But… . I can't go. I can't stay with Yuki." He saw the puzzled look on Hatori's face transform to anger…just like it had seven years ago. "I…need you to do this for me."
Hatori stood up, abruptly. "You're running away from this! Again!"
"Hatori, listen-"
"No, you listen!" Ayame looked up, startled to hear his cousin raise his voice like that. "Do you even realize what you're doing? You're sending Yuki to where he was nearly killed, just to speak with the monster that nearly killed him! You're so wrapped up in your…your own commiseration, that you can't even take responsibility and help your only sibling. You….You must be the saddest, most pathetic excuse for a brother I've ever seen!"
For a moment, both men stood stunned- Hatori was as surprised to hear himself say that as Ayame was.
"Ayame, I-"
"Forget it." Ayame stood up and faced his cousin directly. "I don't have time to worry about your opinion of me right now. But listen to this. I'm leaving today. If this works, I should be back in town in a few days, and we can get Yuki away from Akito for good. But if I'm not back in six days, take Yuki to see Akito. If you don't, Akito will come after him himself." And he turned to leave.
"You're leaving? Now? Where are you going?"
"Tokyo," answered Ayame as he closed the door."
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"Hey."
"Kyo?"
"Shigure told me."
"And?"
"How much do you really remember about Akito?"
"Hardly anything. But it's enough. I'll see that man, but if he tries anything, anything at all, I swear I'll-"
"He's the Family Head, you know."
"Lord knows why."
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A/N- Okay, I know… Lacking in angst. Don't worry, it's coming! Just read the next chapter. R/R for me, okay? Please?
Next Chapter-- A little less talk, and a lot more action! Yuki finally re-meets Akito, but it doesn't go quite as Yuki had expected. Yuki angst! And what's in Tokyo?
