Disclaimer : I own absolutely nothing, for this story is based on the characters and situations of Fruits Basket created and owned by Takaya Natsuki. No money is being made and no copyright infringement is intended either.

******
Chapter 1. The Box In The Attic.


Sohma Akito leaned by the girdle of the window, watching the sun rise from the east. The sky had just altered from dark to light, and the morning air scorched with golden fire fairly above the snow-covered treetops. The crispy light of dawn poured through the window where he was, and he covered his eyes with his hand to shield himself from it.

He shivered as he felt the heat mount up his torso, like burning notes of an old hymn he had long forgotten. The warmth of the rays danced across his pale skin as if mocking him, because he wasn't destined to enjoy it while everyone else did.

It was simply sickening.

A surge of anger suddenly washed over him. With a cry of fury, Akito grabbed the nearest ornament to him and flung it hard on the tatami floor. It shattered with a sound like a bomb dropping, broken pieces of porcelain flying in all directions.

A deafening silence was left to span between the sounds of broken porcelain and the footsteps from the hallway that shortly followed. The door then slid open.

"What happened?" asked Sohma Hatori as he came inside, his face unperturbed as it always was. His greenish eyes darted to the shattered remains of the porcelain, and he realised he didn't need an answer. It was clearly visible what Akito had done to the remaining vase in the room. He quickly bent down on one knee and hastily picked up the broken pieces with his bare hands.

"Akito, if you need anything.." he broke off, seeing that Akito had his back at him. The man stood still, facing the window, arms tucked in within his kimono robes, as if nothing ever happened.

As usual.

Hatori's eyes flickered as he looked back down at the sharp fragments and continued to pick it up without hesitant, despite the faint red scratches it gave his fingers. He had gotten used in doing so, ignoring his every pain for Akito, crushing it inside like it never mattered. But Hatori cared for him, even though he had pained when he was forcedly separated with Kana, even more when he had to erase the memories they shared together from her mind. But no.

He would never turn his back on him.

To be the one pointed with responsibility of the jyuunishis. To know that death might knock on your door no matter when. To not believe in what you can't see, not cry at what you can't feel, and live a life in a windowless prison build up brick by brick by your own prejudice and ego. Hatori could never turn his back on Akito, because he knew the reasons beyond his actions, or at least thinks he does. Despite how immoral they are.

"Hatori," called Akito abruptly.

Hatori raised his head slowly, tadly surprised by the sudden call, "Yes?" he inquired.

"What month is it now?" Akito asked, his voice drawling in an unusual mocking tone, "I don't quite remember."

"It's December, Akito." Hatori replied.

"Ah, another year's end." mused Akito, "And who will be dancing the ritual dance at New Year's?"

"I will," answered Hatori obediently, "This year was my year, the Year of the Dragon, wasn't that so?"

Akito gave a deep chuckle, "You'll look good in your outfit."

"W-well, I --"

"How long has it been since your last dance?" questioned Akito, putting a hand on his chin. "Shall we say, ah.. ten years?"

"Almost thirteen years, Akito." corrected Hatori.

"That's right," Akito said matter-of-factly, "The time has finally come. After thirteen years, the Dragon will dance again. This year's party will be very interesting indeed, especially on the dawn New Year's Day... when the cat reaches its height in power." he added silently.

Hatori's eyebrow shot up. "I-I beg your pardon?"

"Oh, nothing. Nothing."

Akito turned around, looking somehow fragile with his dark hair draping against his pale face in the dim sunlight that entered the room. The cold air outside had whipped a faint shade of teal into his cheeks. But his dark, narrow eyes gave out a hostile knowledge that didn't quite fit with it all.

Knowledge Hatori didn't know.

Akito folded his arms across his chest and eyed his surroundings evenly, "Well, I see that you've cleaned up the mess. Then I don't need you anymore. You can go now," he said stiffly, spinning away.

Hatori looked at Akito for a long moment before nodding briskly, and walked off. As he turned and left, Hatori felt a dreaded feeling developing in the pit of his stomach. Something was being planned, perfectly, but what, he doesn't know. He had just lifted his hand to slide the door open when Akito suddenly halted him with a shout,

"Wait!"

Hatori stopped abruptly and spun on his heel to face him.

"Wait.." repeated Akito, drawing his kimono robes more tightly around him, "On second thought, I do need you. I've always needed you. You have one more thing to do for me, Hatori. Can you take this task I ask you to do?"

The one being asked suddenly looked somber, "I'll do what I can."

"Then you shall call Shigure and tell him that I wish to invite him, Yuki, the cat, and that girl to stay here, just for the night." Akito demanded in a harsh whisper, "You will tell them this to the point they cannot refuse."

Hatori gazed at him blankly, "I-invite them? Here?" he stuttered, searching for an answer within Akito's cold eyes, but it gave away nothing, "But Akito, why - ?"

"Why? Why, I have my own reasons Hatori." he muttered, a secretive smile plastered across his face. Akito looked smugly satisfied, "Remember, I will be expecting them to arrive at noon today. That is all. You may depart now."

Hatori looked down at the broken pieces in his hand. It suddenly seemed so far away. He vaguely remembered nodding, turning, and leaving with his head still spinning.

The invitation, secrets, Akito's silent mutter about the cat's height in power. What was going on?

***

Honda Tohru looked out the window of the kitchen and smiled. It had begun to snow last night, lightly, like flour sifting from the sky. And by morning, the vast garden of the house was already blanketed in a white tapestry of snowflakes. It was a scene unlike any other, and Tohru leaned closer to the window for a better view.

Out of nowhere, a streak of black and orange flashed by the said window. Tohru needn't a second look to see who it was, for she knew that that was Kyo who'd rather jump off rooftops than climb gracefully down the ladder.

"Good morning, Kyo-kun!" she greeted him as he burst in through the door.

"Morning," he replied wearily, "What's for breakfast?"

"I made beef teriyaki and rice. I know it's not much, but I hope you'll like it!"

"Sure," said Kyo, "As long as it isn't leek, miso, or scallion, I'd be happy to finish everything you make us."

Tohru beamed at him.

Kyo turned his head to the hallway, "It's pretty damn quiet here. What happened to kuso nezumi and the dog man?"

"We-ell," started Tohru, looking perplexed. "Yuki-kun, I assume, is still sleeping and Shigure-san is answering the phone."

"The phone?" echoed Kyo, "At a time like this? Who calls people at daybreak anyway?"

"I don't know about that but-- oh! I think he's coming..."

Shigure strided into the room, the phone carried in one hand, and the handle, linked with a long cord, held in the other, up against his ear. He seemed to be in a deep conversation with someone - probably Ayame, Hatori or his poor, suffering editor. Vaguely, Kyo noticed there was something different from Shigure, apart from the maroon yukata he rarely wore, there was something else missing from him.

"Yes," Shigure was saying solemnly, and everybody else gathered around him. At close range, Kyo realised what it was. His smile, was not on his face. Nor was the usual mischievous cheeriness in his eyes. Above it all, his face was set in a seriously grave expression, which was something hardly ever seen on Shigure's face. He couldn't remember the last time he saw that mask on him. "I understand, Ha-san," Shigure continued, "but I still have to ask them first. You can't force us, even if it is Akito's orders."

The whole room suddenly fell silent.

"A..kito?" Kyo whispered, and he opened his mouth to speak some more, but Yuki raised a hand and stopped him. "Listen first, speak later." Yuki said shortly.

"Hey, how come you're here so early?"

"Shut up, baka neko."

"Why you!"

"I don't mind," continued Shigure, his eyes fixed on the telephone cord he kept on fiddling with, "But that doesn't mean Yuki, Tohru and Kyo would mind. Yes, I do think you should ask them yourself." he nodded vigorously as if agreeing on something, then handed the phone to Kyo, who stared at the phone dumbfoundedly.

"Huh? Wha - ?"

"You first, Kyo-kun." said Shigure, smiling. Kyo gazed at the phone skeptically before taking it and pressed it against his ear, "H-hello?"

"Kyo?" a voice cracked from the other end of the line. It was Hatori's, no doubt, and he too, sounded anxious. Kyo edged away from the others and settled in the corner of the room, not wanting anyone to listen. "There is something I need to ask you," continued Hatori.

"What is it?" questioned Kyo.

"What do you think of staying in the main Sohma house, for one night?"

Kyo couldn't believe his ears. He thought it might be deceiving him. "What!?" he exclaimed, "C-can you repeat that? I think I heard you wrong."

"You didn't." said Hatori, "It is Akito's wish to have you stay here for one night. I'm supposed to force you here, but Shigure there wants me to ask you first. It doesn't matter anyway, you'll have to agree on this in the end."

"Have to? Isn't that a bit strong?"

"Not according to Akito." replied Hatori flatly, "Besides, you won't come alone. Akito also invited Shigure, Yuki, and Honda-kun to --"

"Tohru? Tohru too!?" interjected Kyo loudly, and Tohru flinched at the mention of her name. "Wait. I'm.. truly flattered that Akito finally invited me into that house, even if it is just for one night, but Tohru? I mean, do you really think it's safe to let her meet him? What does he want with her?"

Hatori sighed, "No, this is not about her." he replied, his tone getting wearier with every single breath, "Actually, I don't even know what he wants. I tried to ask him, but it was no use."

"But it could be about her!"

"Yes, it could be." he said, "But I don't think it is."

"And why are you so sure about it?"

"Because.." Hatori broke off, a coughing noise was heard, "Because I think it's about you."

Kyo almost dropped the phone, "W-what!?"

"I think it's about you. Or Yuki. Or even Shigure. I think it's a Sohma matter, and he wants her to be there, to watch."

To watch. To sit and watch… like last time? To turn into his hideous second form in front of Tohru was probably the most aggrieved moment he could endure. It had been his worst nightmare. He still hadn't quite forgiven Akito for ordering Kazuma, his trusted mentor and guardian, to forcely slip the beads off his hand and show Tohru the dark side of himself. He still couldn't forget the shocked expression on her face when she saw him turn into that.. thing. He wouldn't bear it if he were to repeat it all over again. He would most likely go mad.

Kyo felt highly uneasy. "I don't think I like the sound of it..."

"Neither do I."

"But.." he started, "I won't know his reasons unless I go there, would I?"

"No," uttered Hatori in a passive voice, "you won't."

"Then count me in." said Kyo, his face set in decisiveness.

Neither of them said anything for a while, and when Hatori finally spoke, it was in a low voice, "Good," he said, "you're settled then. I will pick all of you up myself. Shigure will tell you the time of my arrival. Now pass the phone to Honda-kun, I still need to speak to her and Yuki too."

"Right then," Kyo said as he walked back to group circling in the middle of the room, and stopped right in front of Tohru, "Just take it easy on her. If you ever dare say one word that could... oh, never mind. Here she is,"

He handed the phone to Tohru whose cheeks were faintly red, and stalked outside. A pair of grey eyes, unknown to him, silently followed his trail until he was out of sight.

**

Tohru watched her reflection in the mirror as she brushed her long hair. Kyo had mentioned her name on the phone, which wasn't unusual. He could have mentioned anybody's name but it was hers that came from his lips.

"Why me?" she asked the Tohru in the mirror, but mirror-Tohru just stared back at her. You know why, answered a voice in the back of her head. "Do I?" she asked again. But this time the voice gave no answer.

If you ever dare say one word that could... oh, never mind. "Could what?" she asked again to the other Tohru, but again, it simply stared back at her. She knitted her brows in bafflement. Then again, it was stupid to ask your own reflection for answers.

She tucked her brush into her overnight bag and zipped the bag close, sighing. What was she trying to think? That he loved her? Tohru blushed at the thought. What is love anyway? Is it love when you like someone? Is it love when you care about someone? But that would mean loving Yuki-kun, Shigure-san, and the other Sohmas as well. And also Uo-chan, and Hana-chan.

True, that she loved them all. But it's not the same. Is it?

"How do I know that?" she asked, more to herself than to her silent reflection. The way she loved Kyo was different to the way she loved everybody else. It made her heart skip a beat everytime he mentioned her name, it made her face light up everytime he laughed at her stupid behaviours, it made her want to stroke his hair everytime he stroked hers, and it made her want to...

Tohru blushed at her own thoughts.

It is different, she realised. Tohru cared for a lot of people, and loved each of them like a close family. But this kind of 'love' was new to her, this type of love sent throbbings to her chest, and pinky shades to her cheeks. And as she compared her feelings for Kyo with the others, Tohru realised that even though she loved everyone all the same, her heart does not skip a beat every time she talked to Shigure-san or Momiji-kun or Hatsuharu-san or Hatori-san or Yuki...

Her mind stopped at the latter name. That's not true, she thought. Her heart does contract slightly everytime Yuki comes into her sight. Her face does light up everytime he smiled at her, and the way he ran his fingers through her hair does make her want to do the same to him. She compared her feelings again for both Yuki and Kyo, and realised that they were both very.. similar.

"But!" Tohru exclaimed suddenly, leaning closer to the mirror's surface. "But that means... that means..."

"Tohru-kun!" called Shigure's voice from downstairs, "Are you ready to go?"

"Uh... yes, Shigure-san! Just-- just a minute please!" she called back. She got to her feet and hauled her bag with one hand. As she slid the door open, her mind continued where her voice left off.

If this feeling is love, she thought, and I feel love for Kyo, does that mean...

"Are you feeling alright, Honda-san?" a voice interrupted her reverie, and Tohru jumped slightly. She faced the speaker, and her voice came out as a squeak. "Y-Yuki-kun!?"

Yuki was looking anxiously at her. "Please, watch where you're going. You're just inches away from crashing into that wall."

Tohru turned back, and found her nose touching the wall. "Aah!" She jumped a few steps backwards. "I-I'm sorry.. I was thinking about something and.. uhm.."

"You must've been working too hard to lose track like that, Honda-san. Let me carry your bag for you."

"N-no! I can handle it, really! I might not look strong, but I really am! Not as strong as Yuki-kun or Kyo-kun, of course, but, erh.. as a woman, I'm strong enough to carry my bag!"

Yuki laughed out loud, making Tohru think how pretty his smiling face is. She blushed and turned for the stairs, but a hand on her arm stopped her from going any further.

"Let me carry your bag for you." Yuki repeated, his eyes boring in to hers. "Please, I insist."

He was still smiling politely. His hand was still on her arm. Her heart was still beating oh-so-rapidly..

Tohru nodded in defeat, letting him release her bag from her grip and take it in his own. He was so kind. Yuki was so kind. "Yuki-kun.. thank you. Thank you so much."

"It's my pleasure, Honda-san."

Tohru followed Yuki downstairs, admiring him secretly from behind, and then her mind drifted back to her previous thinking. Does this feeling, this odd beating in my heart, means that.. that I feel love for Yuki too?

**

It was almost high noon when Yuki, Kyo, Tohru and Shigure arrived at the Main House. Hatori had come to pick them up an hour before, and each of them were looking quite nervous about the visit, all except Shigure who remained hilariously calm.

"Enjoying the trip, kids?" he said cheerfully, and Kyo managed to scowl at him. Kids, he thought, is never a term for a seventeen-year-old like him. He flung his bagpack over his shoulder and sullenly followed Shigure and Hatori inside with Yuki and Tohru by his side.

Tohru gazed at the insides of the house in awe, "Wow, this house is truly beautiful! I've been here a couple of times but I've never been to this part of the house!" She was quite right about that, Kyo realised, as the house was vast and grand like an ancient traditional palace. The gardens itself were like reality pop-ups from a Japanese fairy tale book, exquisitely antique, let alone its rooms which were large and majestic...

Majestic..

"Huh?" Kyo stopped.

A sudden familiar feeling swept right through him as he passed a closed room to his right. He stepped closer and observed the closed door of it. Glancing quickly at the group right ahead of him, Kyo realised they didn't look like planning on waiting for him to catch up, but yet, the room was strangely intriguing, and terrifying at the same time. Intriguing, because he felt something personal lost within the depths of this room, and terrifying, for the exact same reason. He shivered.

The room seemed to be abandoned, judging by the aged colour of the sliding door and cobwebs dangling untidyly from above. The door looked like it wouldn't slide open even if he tried. Kyo had once heard of déjà vu, which was probably the sense of familiarity of having done the same thing or been to the same place before, when you really haven't. And that is probably what he is sensing right now.

Kyo held out his hand and touched the door, his fingers streaking across it like searing upon a web until it touched the handle. He pushed hard to slide it open -- the door rattled -- but it didn't even budge a crack. He groaned impatiently, glared at it, and pressed down the urge to karate-kick it open.

But touching the door, however, made the awareness of being there before even stronger. It's like opening the window of a place he's never been to, and now it's wide open and he could see everything inside. He stared at his hand. The feeling rose through his fingers as his mind agreed, that he had once opened the exact same door, walked in the exact same room, and held the exact same --

"Kyo, you baka neko!!"

Kyo snapped back to his senses and slowly wheeled around to his caller. He scowled, seeing that it was the last person in the world he ever wanted to see. "What do you want, kuso nezumi?"

Yuki looked irritated, "What do I want?" he said calmly, "We thought you got lost you big dummy, and they sent me to find out where you wandered off."

"Lost?" repeated Kyo, his tone unamused. "And you came here especially for me? I'm touched."

"Shut up, Kyo." and he turned with a gesture that suggested Kyo to follow him if he didn't want to get lost.

As he trailed after Yuki, Kyo glanced back at the door of the unknown room, his eyes trying to pry the mystery within. "Yuki," he called catching up with Yuki's fast steps, and Yuki turned around with a frown. "You've lived here before, haven't you?"

"Not in this exact house, if that's what you mean." he snapped, and his eyes suddenly darkened in a way Kyo had not seen before. "But yes, I've been here a few unfortunate times.."

Kyo jerked his head to the door behind him, "Do you know what's in that room, then?"

"It's Akito's personal attic." answered Yuki without looking back, "He stores all his unwanted stuff and several vintages left from the last Sohma ancestors inside that room, so they say. But I've never seen it open. Why?"

"It needs cleaning! People here hasn't done a good job of sterilizing this place. Look at the shocking cobwebs --"

"Shut up, Kyo."

"Hey!" exclaimed Kyo, "Don't tell me to shut up!"

"Then quit babbling." Yuki said sweetly.

"I'm not babbling," Kyo sulked, hands jammed in his pockets, dragging his feet as he walked. He reminded Yuki of the small little boy who hated him years ago after hearing of an old fable of how the rat shrewdly tricked the cat, the boy who is always challenging him into fights and then lose with dignity, several times even without. Yuki had hated him too then, maybe out of childish grudge, he didn't know. But that hatred without a cause lasted long, even until now.

Yuki glared at Kyo and punched his arm, hard, just for good measure, "That was for making me search for you, you irritating bastard. Try picking a nicer place to get lost next time, will you?"

Kyo looked at him in surprise as he rubbed his sore arm, "All of a sudden? Oh, very mature, Yuki!!"

"So what?" Yuki had his arms crossed over his chest and was glaring into space. He knew he was being childish, but didn't feel able to do anything about it. He was mad at Kyo for everything like he had always been. Moreover when he heard Kyo accepted the offer to stay in the house he had always wanted to avoid.

"Just what did Hatori say to get you here?" Yuki blurted out.

"Hatori? He didn't say anything," replied Kyo nonchalantly.

Yuki ignored him and continued, "I heard you say Tohru's name when you were on the phone. Was it something about her?"

Actually it's yes and no, Kyo's mind said, but hesitated in saying it aloud. It wasn't the kind of information worth passing to someone else, especially when that someone else is no other than arch-rival Sohma Yuki. Nonetheless, Hatori's voice rang once more in his head, I think it's about you. Or Yuki. Or even Shigure. I think it's a Sohma matter and he wants Tohru to be there, to watch.

"Oh, that." Kyo muttered airily, crossing his arms over his head, "It was nothing."

A short silence. "I don't believe you,"

"You never had anyway," said Kyo, looking at Yuki. "why start now?"

Yuki narrowed his eyes, "You're not telling me something."

"What do you think he said to me, dammit!? 'Well, Kyo, if you go, you'll get this really cool piece of log to bang Yuki's head with.' Honestly, I wish he'd say that instead--"

"Then why the hell did you agree on this!?" Yuki suddenly exploded, he stood still, fists clenched on each side, "Are you so blind to see how much Akito hates you? He hates you, okay? He always did! This whole plan of inviting us all together rings 'suspicious, suspicious' very clearly, but you're completely ignoring it!! Because of you, I am stuck in this house! Because you agreed, I had to play along! This is all your fault!!"

Astounded, Kyo stared at Yuki. His jaws were set, his shoulders rigid. The most he had seen Yuki angry was as much as a mere sneer and a couple of kicks and punches, but this was beyond that. "What do you know?" Kyo threw back, feeling sudden anger rising in him. "I agreed because I wanted to, okay? You think you know everything? What did you think you utterly stupid prat? Is it so wrong to want to be in this house, even for one night?"

"This place is hell, Kyo." Yuki hissed, "You don't want to be here-"

"Well maybe I do!" Kyo cut in, his eyes brilliant with anger, "I wanted to and I'm here. So there."

"You know what I think?" Yuki burst out furiously, "I think you're just jealous."

Kyo went white, "What?"

"That's it. Jealous. And you're hacked off because I'm in here and you're out there. It has always been like that hasn't it? You wanted to be in so badly but you can't, because you're the outsider cat!" he said angrily, every word he said consumed in anger. "And guess what's more? I'd be happy to trade places with you, then you'd feel the same misery I did. Why? Because I. Want. Out."

Several moments of silence passed after Yuki's speech. Kyo stared at Yuki blankly, and Yuki just looked at his feet, as if ashamed of the words that had just issued from his lips. "This... is pointless conversation!" said Kyo, breaking the silence between, he walked in front of him. "I'm going to go to - to - where are we going anyway? You're supposed to be the guide."

Yuki furrowed his brows and said through gritted teeth, "I wasn't finished."

"What? You want to waste your energy criticizing me? Tell me the same old story of how much you hated me? You're so boring, Yuki!"

A vein bulged on Yuki's temples, "You know what? I'm not going to pick fights inside somebody else's house. You're just not worth noticing, Kyo."

"Then don't!"

"Fine."

"Fine!"

Neither said anything else after that. Marching side by side, they were furiously silent and simply refused to even look at each other's face.

"In here, baka neko." instructed Yuki, opening the door to a room.

"I knew that, kuso nezumi." flailed Kyo.

"You did not."

"Did too!"

"Boys, boys." said Shigure, "Be quiet, Akito's coming in a moment."

Kyo sat down, to his disgust, on the cushion beside Yuki. Seeing it was the only spot available, he couldn't argue much with the seating arrangements. He looked down at the tea mug in front of him, then at the person sitting across him -- which was no other than Tohru. He smiled at her, and she smiled back.

"Ow!" Kyo exclaimed softly as he felt a painful pinch from his leg.

"Keep your face straight you stupid idiot." hissed Yuki without looking at him.

Kyo didn't bother to throw his words back at him. As someone entered the room, he felt the atmosphere around him tense for no specific reason. He cautiously raised his head and saw Akito, standing behind Tohru, looking straight at him.

He looked entirely the same since the last time Kyo saw him. Still wrapped in his expensive kimonos, still standing arrogantly, still surrounded by the usual sinister-like aura he carried, and his eyes, they were still filled with loathing, made especially for him.

Are you so blind to see how much Akito hates you?

Yuki was right about that one, thought Kyo. He does hate me. He never did stop hating me. Then why? Why did he invite me here?

Akito lifted his head loftily, and strutted off to sit on his own cushion, placed elegantly in the middle of the room. He settled down and raised his mug almost immeadiately, "Drink."

Kyo took his mug and drank his tea unanimously to everybody else. While everybody simply too a sweet sip, he drained his mug at once. His hand trembled as he retrieved his mug to the floor. He looked confusedly at his palm and found that he couldn't stop trembling.

Am I feeling sick? Kyo thought bewilderedly. No, not right now...

He shook his head frantically, and then looked at Tohru, who was looking at him in a strange way. "No..." he mumbled, and suddenly the room curled itself in, rushing towards him like a wave. Blackness hit him, and he drowned into it.

***

Darkness.

Pure darkness binded him. Like being sucked into a black hole, he could not see, nor could he feel. But voices echoed, and it rose like a fever. Like ripples upon water, faint at first, then louder...

'The box, Kyo'

'Find the box!'

'Open it!'

'No, don't open it! Don't find it.'

'Go home, cat. You don't belong here...'

"Stop this," Kyo heard his voice say. His head felt dizzy. How could a dream feel so real? He reached out his hand to grab - to grab - something. Anything. But all he could get hold of was air. Black, dark air.

'Find it, Kyo - it's in that room!'

'No, just get away from here!!!'

'Release the curse within it...'

'Find it Kyo, and you could change your life.'

"Where are you!?" Kyo yelled into nothingness, thrusting his fists about in mid-air, "Where are you, you cowards!!! Show yourself!"

'You can never find us... but you can find the box.'

'Feel it in this house-'

'It's calling you...'

'No! Open it, and you will be cursed for the second time!'

Kyo covered his ears with both hands, "No-- stop it!" he cried, but the disembodied voices still echoed inside his head, "STOP THIS!!"

'It's near you, Kyo...'

'The box, Kyo. Find the box, FIND IT NOW!!!!'

A flash of light came, and Kyo saw a familiar boy, sitting bolt upright. He had orange hair, red eyes, and the same black and white beads that he wore. Only now, they were red with blood.

"Kyo! Kyo! Wake up!"

Someone had him by the shoulder and was shaking him. Kyo twisted around and distinctively heard somebody screaming. There were hands tugging his arms and he squirmed to pull away from it. A hand slapped his face, and Kyo opened his eyes, and blinked.

Suddenly, the screamings disappeared and overwhelming silence filled its space. That was me screaming, Kyo realised. That was me.

"What happened? Are you okay?" asked Tohru, her eyes filled with concern. She was bending over him, a hand over his chest and the other currently tucking a lock of hair behind her ear.

"I-I..."

"You were screaming," said Yuki's voice, and Kyo almost strained his neck to see Yuki looking down at him. Yuki tugged Kyo's wrist and slid the black and white beads, just slightly, revealing a red mark beneath it. "Hey, how did you--"

This time Hatori tugged it and studied the red mark on Kyo's skin. Kyo could feel it scorching, like being burnt. "First degree burn, fresh." muttered Hatori, and he let go of him. As Kyo sat up, Hatori got to his feet, "I don't know how you got those burns, but follow me to my office. You need treatment--"

"No." said Kyo, and everybody stared at him. "There's something I need to find out first..."

"But, Kyo--" started Shigure but Kyo silenced him with a look. He turned around and saw that Akito was looking victoriously at him, but maybe that was just his imagination. Without pausing to let anyone else speak, Kyo stood up and ran for the door.

"Kyo-kun!!" he heard Tohru shout as he slipped out of the room, but he didn't stop to turn. He tore blindly across the house, without the slightest idea where he is going, though strangely knowing exactly where he is heading.

To the box.

It was calling him, like the voices said in his dream, bidding him to come and find it, then open it with his own hands.

Kyo suddenly stumbled forwards and fell down with a crash. He struggled to stand up, and when he did, he realised he was standing in front of the attic. Slowly, he walked towards it and grabbed the edge of the door -- and it easily slid open.

Only one thing caught his attention and the light entered inside, revealing a room filled with priceless possessions. Neatly on top of an old, white tablecloth was a wooden box. It was not big, nor is it small, just slightly bigger than his hand. The box was ordinary, without any fancy carvings whatsoever. But as Kyo squinted his eyes, he just could make out a group of words carved roughly on its side:

SOHMA - 1843

******