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A Shadow Reborn- Chapter Six
Saturday.
Hatori and Shigure had been up for a while when Kyo trudged downstairs, followed by a stumbling Yuki, looking like a walking dead man.
"They're real party animals in the morning, as you can tell, Hatori," said Shigure, like a dork.
"I see."
Sitting down at the table, Kyo- ever the tactful one- addressed Hatori. "What are you doing here?" They were all seated now, and Shigure answered.
"He's going with Yuki to see Akito today." Yuki looked up sharply at this.
"Um….why?"
If there was one thing Hatori was good at besides doctoring, it was lying. Being best friends with Shigure and Ayame had taught him something, after all. "He specifically requested both you and Ayame. And as you know, Ayame is kind of…not here."
"Oh. So what is it he wants, again?"
Hatori shrugged. "Your guess is as good as mine. He probably just wants to lay down the line. Remind us he's still the head of the family. I mean, it's been a while, but maybe he thinks he has unsettled business with you. You got away from him once, remember. When you get down to it, he has issues none of us are too sure about.
At this point Kyo interrupted.
"I have a question."
"Yeah?"
"Okay, seriously now. What is this guys' problem? I mean, who shoved a stick up his a-"
"That's a good question," Hatori cut in. "But again, I don't really know. It could be that he's just power-hungry. He was born into being the head of the family, and has always established his control over us. My only other guess is that he's not….. quite all there, if you know what I mean. No one else can detect any reason for him to be so secluded. His motivations for what he does may all be in his head. If this is the case, mental instability may be all that makes him so…."
"Sadistic?"
"Well, see, that's just it. If he really is insane, does that make him sadistic?"
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Ayame thought hard as he rode back on the train. His eyes had been bloodshot since he had left the company of his mother's old friend. He checked his watch again; maybe he could still make it back. But it was not a short distance back home from Aoyama.
Had this trip been worth it? If I still get back in time, yeah. Ayame was in a slight state of confusion- too much had happened in the last week for him to take it all in at once. Akito…Hatori…the old neighbor…..and of course, his and Yuki's mom.
Now what do I do about that? I have a lot to explain to Yuki…. Ayame wrapped himself in his thoughts and sighed. I won't think about that until I have to. He checked his watch again, willing the train to move faster.
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That night, Hatori returned to the Sohma House. There had been no sign of Ayame.
"Ready to go, Yuki?"
"I don't see why everyone's making such a big deal out of this. And remind me again why you're coming?"
"Because I said so," Hatori answered, opening the door for him. "'Bye, Shigure, Kyo." Shigure and Kyo watched as he turned to follow Yuki out the door. But at the last second, he turned back and looked at Kyo, who glared back.
"What is it?"
Hatori glanced at Yuki for a moment, then back at Kyo. He seemed to be contemplating something.
"You take martial arts?"
"Yes."
"Come with us."
Kyo was slightly perplexed, but walked forward to join them. Yuki looked uncertain for a moment, then angry as he faced Hatori….
"I don't need a body guard!"
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Hatori had been right.
Akito sat alone in his chambers. Power. He almost had complete power. More Power. But how do you get more power? By defeating those that oppose you, of course. By breaking those that seem stronger than you. Is power strength, or control? This wasn't enough. Fear was a key. The Sohma family was nearly his. He had the strength to own it, and he had control over most of it. Most of them feared him. The snake, the dog… they were afraid. But 'most' was not enough. Complete domination was imperative. The dragon…..He may not be afraid, but he's not as rebellious as he thinks he his. The mouse….
The mouse was different. As ordered, he had been given reports on the mouse. The _________ was doing well, but the fear was still there, somewhere behind all that strength. Which was good, but he had lost him. The mouse had eluded him, no matter how you look at it. He did not have the same control over him. So…how to gain fear from the dragon, and control over the mouse? It was just a matter of gaining more power. And conveniently, the 'strongest opponent' was coming tonight.
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Shigure was absent-mindedly looking out the window, thinking. Hatori, Yuki, and Kyo had left earlier, and now dusk was setting. Suddenly Shigure sat up.
Coming into his view was Ayame. Had he run all the way here from the train station? When Ayame reached the house, Shigure let him in and looked closely at him. Ayame not only looked tired, but dispirited. Why….? Ayame realized the emptiness of the house at once.
"Did they already leave?!"
"A while ago. Where have you been?"
"Did they walk?"
"Hatori drove them. Where have you been?"
"It doesn't matter. I'm going over there."
Shigure had questions, but he decided they could wait. "You can use my car."
Ayame shook his head. "No. I'm going through the woods. It'll be faster."
"It's going to be getting dark soon."
"It'll be faster." And he left.
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As they neared the Main House, Hatori got a warning tone in his voice. "Now remember- watch what you say, if you have to speak. I don't know what he wants, but he's not in his right-…..He's not like most people, and he's not to be trusted. Under no circumstances are you to go with him by yourself, Yuki, no matter what he says. Stay with us." Kyo was about to comment on the exactness of Hatori's motherly tone, but decided against it. He looked at Yuki instead.
Yuki wasn't responding, but was staring off at the Main House, now in view. His expression showed slight trepidation, and his stride was growing less confident. Kyo could only imagine what he was thinking. Or what he was remembering.
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Akito had made up his mind. The only way to get obedience was to destroy. And Akito knew how to do it- not slowly, for certain. He had made that mistake once. It would have to be done at once. He looked outside, and was slightly surprised at who he saw in front, walking towards the House.
"Even better. The dragon will get to watch."
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A/N- Hrm. That took a while, and it's not even that good. Chapter 7 will be updated much sooner than this one was! Please still review!
Next chapter- Casualties and Escapes
