Arianna felt her life flash before her eyes as she plunged into
darkness. She was frightfully conscious of the hands silencing her mouth
and holding her arms to her waist. The same hands that were now pressing
her tightly against whoever owned them. She struggled helplessly against
them but they held her tightly. She tried to scream but no sound would come
forth. A wave of immense panic swept over her. Why had she come down here?
No one knew she was down here and when they finally did find her.
"Be silent!" a voice quietly hissed at her with such force that she felt bound to listen. Perhaps he wouldn't hurt her, whoever he was, if she did as he asked. But to her great dismay she realized that she couldn't calm herself. She was still shaking and struggling. She had been worried about so many things and now this had caused her to have a panic attack. But he didn't know that! What if she made her attacker angry and he hurt her, killed her, or worse. She felt her heart sink not only at the thought of what might happen to her, but that she may never see her family or Erik again! She shook her head so that his hand was removed from her mouth. But she didn't scream. Before he replaced his hand to her mouth she was able to choke out: "I can't stop! I can't breathe."
Almost immediately her shoulder met with a wall and she slipped down to the floor. He had pushed her away. Why? Before she could think up some horrible thing he might be thinking of, he spoke again.
"You stupid girl!" He whispered. "Don't you know who I am?"
Erik! She blinked and looked about her but she couldn't see anything. How could she not recognize his voice? She might have felt embarrassed but why should she be? He had scared her to death but she felt too exhausted to say anything. So she curled up where she lay and tried to calm herself. Although she could not see, Erik was quite accustomed to the dark and could see her perfectly. He felt not embarrassment but shame. He hadn't meant to frighten her so badly and he didn't want to frighten her anymore. But he had to, he couldn't allow himself to be weak, not like the girl still shivering before him.
It was cruel but it wasn't his choice. Too much was going on that he did not understand. Why hadn't Electra accused him of taking advantage of her? She could have had him lynched easily that way. Perhaps she wished to lull him into false security. Perhaps she had something more horrible in store for him. And now because of his suspicions he had to reject Arianna completely. He couldn't let Electra discover how he felt about her! She might have already endangered herself in her suggestion of a postponement. No one else would have but she did, even after he had spoken to Victor so harshly. That was another thing he couldn't comprehend. He hadn't wanted to creep out of a closet to speak with her but with Darius planning to never let him out of his sight he couldn't just openly chat with her in the lobby of the hotel! Now he had frightened her. He wanted so much to hold her and tell her all would be right. And everything would be right, he silently promised her, but it was essential that she stayed away from him or it would ruin everything!
"Isn't there anything in that head of yours? I really don't understand why you panic so much. You can hold your own against a woman and if I had been a rapist or murderer you would have transformed and gored me to death!" He scolded her.
Still shaking she choked out pathetically. "You could have been Kray.then what would I do?"
Erik raised an eyebrow in response. "Ah! So I see now, you're afraid of his wrath. That will never do."
"Are you so surprised?" Arianna hissed back at him, starting to reveal her anger in hurried whispering. "Alright I admit it! I am scared and I never want to see him again! Maybe you'll think I'm being silly but I don't! It's not fair for you to scare me like that because to me it's not a trivial matter."
Erik was surprised. He hadn't thought that she had been affected much by the incident of Easter although he knew very well she had good reason to fear him. He attempted to shrug it off. "But you know how he is. True, he promised revenge for your rejection of him but by know he's probably become entranced by some strumpet and has forgotten all about you."
Arianna shook her head. "I wish I could believe that, I really do. But he's shown an interest in me since we were children. I didn't notice then. I was so naïve and still am. Despite his obvious attentions I didn't expect him to want to marry me."
"I see." Erik felt his disgust for Kray deepen. He knew that Kray seemed to have a particular fondness for her but had the perverse little creature really stalked her since childhood? Had they played pretend marriage together as children? Had he held her and kissed her cheek and had she, being the innocent child she was, allow this thinking it only as a cousin's innocent affections. Had they held hands while walking together? Erik drew his hand into a fist and forced his nails to bite into his palm. After hearing this he was even more unwilling to go through with what he had to do. Perhaps he could tell her why she had to stay away from him but how could he let her know that the leader she thought was loving and protective was in a reality a heartless fiend? He couldn't destroy her perfect little life. Of course, after this she'd think he was the heartless one and maybe it might have the same effect. But what was he thinking? He didn't matter to anyone and if she ever considered him as a friend she'd easily forget all about him. Electra was the center of their lives and he was just a cursed member of the zodiac. This was as it had to be.
"Erik." She murmured bringing him out of his thoughts. "Why did you bring me into the closet?"
He closed his eyes and held his breath. The curtain was rising and his performance was about to begin. He tried not to think of how he might hurt her.
"I-I wanted you to play a game with me." He said slowly, reaching over to the box on the shelf beside him.
Arianna's forehead wrinkled in confusion. She peered through the darkness but she was still blinded. "A game?" He had dragged her into a closet to play a game? Weird. "What sort of game?" She asked nervously.
"A guessing game." He explained. "I've an item and you have to guess what it is."
"That's all?"
He nodded even though she couldn't see. "That's all but it will be very interesting, I assure you. Now give me your hand."
"I can't see you." She said.
"I can see you just hold it out." She did as she was told and felt his slender hand grasp hers. She blushed and hoped he couldn't see. She had forgotten about the horrible fright he had given her earlier completely and was now focusing on this game of his. She felt her fingertips brush against something soft and warm. She drew her hand back in surprise but he held it still, guiding it across the unknown surface. Whatever it was it had a thin coat of fur.
"Oh! Is it an animal?" She asked curiously.
Erik choked back the feeling of self-loathing rising inside him. "In a way." He replied.
"Is it a mouse?" She queried.
"No," he said shaking his head. There was a few minutes of silence before she said in childish frustration: "I can't figure out what it could be! What is it?"
He shuddered. "Hold it for me while I turn the lights on." He gently placed it in the palm of her hand and to her surprise whatever it was clamped on her wrist tightly. She was convinced that whatever she held was an animal but it definitely was not a mouse. It oddly felt attached to her hand and a vague idea came to her mind. But that wasn't possible. The light clicked on and Arianna glanced down to see a tarantula in her hand! She froze in shock and horror as she took in it's large hairy form, the eight legs, and the glazed black eyes staring up at her. She would have dropped it but Erik kept his hold on her wrist. Her mouth opened to form a scream but he once again covered her mouth with his other hand. A spider! She was terrified of spiders even harmless little ones. Sort of ironic that she should have feelings for someone who transformed into a similar creature. He removed his hand from her mouth and took the tarantula from her.
"Oh dear, it seems you don't care for my little game." He said casually. His tone unnerved her and she felt something wasn't right.
"Erik! You know I'm terrified of spiders!" She exclaimed as she pressed her back against the wall.
"Yes, I do." He said darkly. "That's why am sure you'll listen to what I have to say." He stepped towards her holding the spider out to her. She trembled as he leaned in close to her, the spider only inches away from her.
"Now listen to me, what you did today was incredibly stupid and you had no right to interfere!" He hissed angrily at her. It was painful to look at the fear on her face but he held his ground staring deeply into her large brown eyes. "What possessed you to do that? Now, thanks to you, you've only made things worse!"
"But I don't understand." She stammered. "What have I done? I couldn't believe the way you were acting and I know something's not right. What really happened Erik? Why are you acting this way?"
"You can't take a hint can you, you meddlesome little nuisance! Are you really as stupid as you look? What did you think? Did you think I was nice? You really should know better, my dear. You've seen how I am toward our family. Tidus and Selena? Is my attack on Electra so surprising?"
"But Victor." she protested.
"Victor? He bores me as do you, always whining. It didn't matter what I'd say to him, he still would have let me off but you had the brilliant idea of an investigation. He gave me a roof over my head and freedom to do as I please but now because of you I'll be on constant watch by that morbid statue Darius!" Here he held the spider close to her face and she whimpered pathetically in terror.
"Erik.please put that away. Please," she said shakily.
"Only if you promise to leave me alone! I'm sick and tired of your cheerfulness and optimism! I want nothing more to do with you!"
Tears welled up in her eyes. "Erik," she pleaded.
"Promise, damn you! Promise you'll never speak to me again!" He demanded fiercely. She nodded as the spider got closer. He grinned wickedly and pulled away. He had put it back in it's box when the door opened. The custodian looked at them in bewilderment until a look of realization dawned upon him and he started nodding and grinning at them. Erik snapped at him but Arianna couldn't understand what he'd said. Whatever it was, it made the man very upset. His eyes bulged out of his head and his face went purple. He firmly grabbed a mop and shouted something at them that again, Arianna did not understand, and slammed the door on them.
"I must be leaving," Erik said adding in a bitter voice. "Darius will be looking for me." He stared at her, leaning with her back against the wall and her arms folded across her chest.
"Thank you." She murmured softly. Erik blinked in surprise. What was she saying?
"For what?" he snapped impatiently.
She looked up at him with tears blurring her vision. "I wanted to ask you something. Now it doesn't matter." She opened the door and left, running up the stairs with her face buried in her hands. She had forgotten Katherine's purse. Erik numbly picked it up. What had she wanted to ask him? He leaned against the wall. He wouldn't know now. She must hate him now. Erik would never permit himself to cry but one solitary tear escaped from his eye and slid down his cheek.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Back at Sohma house, Akito's guest had arrived. He made a long exaggerated bow before him.
"So we meet at last, Akito Sohma." He said sweetly with an insipid smile on his angelic face, framed by a chestnut braid.
"Yes, indeed. Welcome Kumi Kuri. Or do you prefer Kray Winter?"
Kray nodded satisfactorily. "You're well informed. My associate is a bit late so perhaps we can chat a while."
"And what have we to talk about?" Akito inquired.
"Well, I represent my leader Electra, of course."
Akito sneered. "I've already spoken to a representative of your leader. She wouldn't be afraid of me would she?"
Kray laughed wildly. "I wonder! I also wonder if perhaps you'd be interested to know that although I represent my leader, I have my own agenda." He giggled again. "Well, we can get on with that later. Until then, shall I tell you our story?"
"Very well," Akito murmured indifferently. He lay down upon the floor, propping himself up on his elbow. He glanced up at Kray and frowned. His guest let out some more laughter convincing Akito that he must be an idiot, and apologetically kneeled in respect as he began his story.
"Years ago, perhaps in the beginning of time, God composed the world of four spirits of water, fire, earth, and air. They were to work together to keep order here upon earth and keep the circle of life running smoothly. For a while, everything was at peace but the spirits became madly jealous of each other. Each felt that the others were considered more important and they went to war with each other. The fire scorched the earth because there was so much of it, air and water fighting together caused monstrous storms. Of course, in all of these instances people were killed and this angered God to the point where he sent an angel down to curse them all. The spirits were imprisoned in human form, stripped of their powers. Since then, the curse has remained among our line of ancestors. So ends the fantasy explanation, however, our family curiously does not have one name like yours and many times siblings will have different last names. We take the names of the seasons of the spirits, hence my name is Winter. Earth had spring, Fire had summer, Air had autumn, and Water had Winter. Now perhaps I may tell you the members of my family."
Akito nodded and Kray continued.
"As I have said we are divided into four families. The Primaveras, the Summers, the Autumns, and the Winters. The spring family has a fancy translation because the earth was the least guilty of the four in causing disaster. It would probably not have been cursed at all if it hadn't been for the infamous earthquake. Ah, well I suppose I'll start there. The first member of the Zodiac is the Aries, one Alexandra. She's only a child; twelve years old and dependant on her brothers. No threat there. Next we have the delightful Taurus, Arianna. She's about fifteen or sixteen and."
"There's no need to explain her, I've seen her already." Akito murmured. Akito was surprised to see a change come over his guest's face. His silly grin and smug expression had transformed to one of utter shock and seriousness.
"She was here?" He choked out. Akito nodded and Kray scanned the room a while, then continued with his explanation as though it hadn't interested him.
"Well then, there is the Gemini: Remus and Romulus, twins. Different as night and day but best of friends until someone, namely me, informed them that one of them was the cursed thirteenth. Since then they are at each other's throats constantly but because of the 'unfortunate' death of their mother, no one knows who is the cursed one They are the brothers of Alexandra, the Aries, and the four of them make up the Primavera family although Arianna is not their sibling."
"The family of Summer consists of the Cancer, Leo, and Virgo. Selena is Leo, the lion, and one of the sexiest females you shall ever set eyes on. But that's all she really is. The Virgo is the innocent Victoria. She's supposedly as close to an angel as any human shall see but because of an illness she is rarely ever seen by us."
"Then there are the Autumns, which has the most messed up members of the family. An outcast, a ruined man, and a black man!" Kray paused to laugh a bit. "The ruined man is Victor, the Libra. Not many know this but I have heard that he and Victoria are siblings. Anyway, Victor was an fair and just man and, if I may say it, a very handsome one too. But not any more." Again he sniggered. "He was Electra's lover until he committed murder. She won't have anything to do with him and his devastation at losing her and what he did has made him age a great deal. He takes care of Erik, the Scorpio. He is the outcast of the family because his sign has long been associated with death and destruction. It's simply delicious how much they hate him! But he's no matter, you hardly see him anyway. Then there's Darius, the only black in our family. He is as judicious as Victor once was with a particular passion for vengeance. He transforms into a centaur, actually, half man, half horse."
"Then there is the Winter family, which I am a part of. Aside from me, there's Katherine, the Aquarius. She's the brain in the family and the Taurus's younger sister. Then there's Tidus, the Pisces. He's an artist and pathetic dreamer. Well, there is our humble family."
"And your leader?" inquired Akito.
"Oh, her! Don't worry your pretty head, I'll have plenty to say about her when the time comes."
At this time the door opened and the man Kray had been expecting entered. The withered old man gave a skeletal grin to them both and bowed, his black robes flowing from his thin frame.
"Ah! May I introduce you to my uncle, Fredrick. The dentist of the family, he has given dentist's world-wide their reputations for sadistic cruelty!" Kray exclaimed dramatically and the old man's grin widened. It widened still at Akito's obvious display of disgust upon seeing him.
"Why these morbid garments, uncle?" Kray asked in curiosity.
"Ve had a trial today." He said in his thick German accent. Kray looked at him in natural surprise.
"But one hasn't been called in what? 2,000, 200 years? Who against?"
Fredrick made an ugly face as it scrunched up in confusion. "Vhy is it I never can remember that von's name? He had a, black hair and very thin."
"Sounds like Tidus." Kray offered.(Remember, Tidus and Erik resembled each other.) His uncle nodded satisfactorily.
"Ya, that sounds like it." He slowly took a seat beside Kray on the floor. "Shall ve get on to business?"
"Yes, let's. I'm sure you're just dying to hear what we have to say for it will profit you I'm sure." Kray began. Akito nodded although by this time he was growing tired of listening to this person. He secretly thought of ways to kill him while listening but stopped as the conversation did, as promised, turn interesting.
"As far as our leader is concerned, we are here to negotiate an alliance between you and her. Doubtless you have already heard such a proposition but that is by no means her real intention. In reality she wants an alliance not for the good of our families but for their eternal misery. Oh, you're interested now? I thought you would be but we're here to give you a better offer. You might think her offer is one of equal partnership but don't be fooled. She wants you to think that, then when the deal is done she'll seduce you. Oh, you may laugh but you must believe me! She's dangerous, much to dangerous and you'll never be able to handle her on her own. Luckily we know this and while she may think she has fooled us into believing her promises in return for our services, we wish to be rid of her. We wish to serve you."
"Why me?" Akito asked warily.
"Because you have more right than she has. To honestly describe her, Electra is nothing but a whore. A very good one, if you understand my meaning, and a dangerous one but still very common."
The Cancer snorted at this. "Vhy is it she sleeps with every man in this family but me?"
This drew a peal of laughter from Kray. "No offense but you're not very desirable, uncle. Besides why should you complain? You have the biggest collection of naughty magazines than anyone I've ever known."
Wishing to hear more of their proposition, Akito attempted to get back on subject. "And exactly how do you plan to be rid of her?"
"Ah! Well as to that," continued Kray. "We allow Electra to believe that you have fallen into her trap so she is not suspicious. Then since you have the Zodiac with such strong creatures, especially the dragon, we have a surprise attack. They'll be outnumbered once I've converted a few more to our cause. She'll be dethroned and killed for that is the only way to be rid of her and that humble and gentle family of mine will be at your mercy. Just think of it! You, the leader of not thirteen but twenty-six to do with as you please!"
Akito was certainly thinking of it and was extremely excited at the thought of it. But he was also aware that there were two sides to an agreement. "And what is it you wish in return?" He asked smoothly.
Kray smiled. "Yes, you are no fool, despite your age." He leaned forward with a glazed look in his eyes. "My uncle is a greasy informant, respectively, and will be loyal as long as no one pays him better."
"And you?" Akito asked, leaning toward him with as much interest.
"Oh, I'd just be proud to be a part of the strongest family in the Zodiac, in the world! Perhaps you may need someone to help keep this surplus to your property under control but I do not require that position, it's just a suggestion."
"Yes." Akito urged him quietly, kneeling so he was at eye level to the traitor. He was beginning to forgive him of his display of idiocy earlier. He had liked his use of the word 'property'".
"I want one." Kray said simply.
"One what?" Akito asked through his teeth, growing a bit impatient.
"One of your new subjects, for me alone. You'll still have twenty- five!" Kray insisted eagerly.
"Ah! I see.you want the silly girl that was here to see me earlier." Akito said with understanding, remembering his reaction to finding out she had been there earlier.
"Yes!" He replied in a hissed whisper.
"Why?" Akito asked simply, raising an eyebrow with interest.
Kray shrugged. "I can't really explain it. She's not as gorgeous as Selena yet I want her. Perhaps it's love, partly anyway. There's a part of me that loves and adores her but at the same time." he trailed off and a possessed look came over his eyes. "And at the same time I want to hurt her, twist her arm, make her scream and watch her blood flow from the wounds I inflict upon her!"
This response surprised both Akito and Fredrick but Akito dared to tease him a bit. "I don't know.I might not want to give you her." He repressed a grin at seeing Kray's devastated face. "She might give me as much pleasure as you seem to think she'll give you." Kray stiffened and clenched his fists. After letting him suffer a bit, Akito said with poisonous sweetness: "Very well, you can have her." So satisfied with the worry on Kray's face, he couldn't help teasing him a bit more. "On one condition."
Once again Kray stiffened but choked out as nicely as he could: "Whatever you wish."
"I wonder if you could assist me in disposing of a little nuisance."
Kray relaxed and smiled, revealing a gun from his pocket. "Of course, this minute if you wish. Whose life do you wish?"
Akito returned his smile and answered firmly. "The life of Tohru Honda."
"Oh, what a pity." Kray said, still smiling. "I thought she was cute."
"Then it is settled." Akito said. "For you, Miss Arianna."
"And for you," Kray replied. "My family, my loyalty, and the life of Tohru Honda."
Kray broke into hysterically laughter and Akito joined him, both creating a chilling and malicious sound. Beside them Fredrick frowned in frustration.
"Vhy is it they get all the fun?"
"Be silent!" a voice quietly hissed at her with such force that she felt bound to listen. Perhaps he wouldn't hurt her, whoever he was, if she did as he asked. But to her great dismay she realized that she couldn't calm herself. She was still shaking and struggling. She had been worried about so many things and now this had caused her to have a panic attack. But he didn't know that! What if she made her attacker angry and he hurt her, killed her, or worse. She felt her heart sink not only at the thought of what might happen to her, but that she may never see her family or Erik again! She shook her head so that his hand was removed from her mouth. But she didn't scream. Before he replaced his hand to her mouth she was able to choke out: "I can't stop! I can't breathe."
Almost immediately her shoulder met with a wall and she slipped down to the floor. He had pushed her away. Why? Before she could think up some horrible thing he might be thinking of, he spoke again.
"You stupid girl!" He whispered. "Don't you know who I am?"
Erik! She blinked and looked about her but she couldn't see anything. How could she not recognize his voice? She might have felt embarrassed but why should she be? He had scared her to death but she felt too exhausted to say anything. So she curled up where she lay and tried to calm herself. Although she could not see, Erik was quite accustomed to the dark and could see her perfectly. He felt not embarrassment but shame. He hadn't meant to frighten her so badly and he didn't want to frighten her anymore. But he had to, he couldn't allow himself to be weak, not like the girl still shivering before him.
It was cruel but it wasn't his choice. Too much was going on that he did not understand. Why hadn't Electra accused him of taking advantage of her? She could have had him lynched easily that way. Perhaps she wished to lull him into false security. Perhaps she had something more horrible in store for him. And now because of his suspicions he had to reject Arianna completely. He couldn't let Electra discover how he felt about her! She might have already endangered herself in her suggestion of a postponement. No one else would have but she did, even after he had spoken to Victor so harshly. That was another thing he couldn't comprehend. He hadn't wanted to creep out of a closet to speak with her but with Darius planning to never let him out of his sight he couldn't just openly chat with her in the lobby of the hotel! Now he had frightened her. He wanted so much to hold her and tell her all would be right. And everything would be right, he silently promised her, but it was essential that she stayed away from him or it would ruin everything!
"Isn't there anything in that head of yours? I really don't understand why you panic so much. You can hold your own against a woman and if I had been a rapist or murderer you would have transformed and gored me to death!" He scolded her.
Still shaking she choked out pathetically. "You could have been Kray.then what would I do?"
Erik raised an eyebrow in response. "Ah! So I see now, you're afraid of his wrath. That will never do."
"Are you so surprised?" Arianna hissed back at him, starting to reveal her anger in hurried whispering. "Alright I admit it! I am scared and I never want to see him again! Maybe you'll think I'm being silly but I don't! It's not fair for you to scare me like that because to me it's not a trivial matter."
Erik was surprised. He hadn't thought that she had been affected much by the incident of Easter although he knew very well she had good reason to fear him. He attempted to shrug it off. "But you know how he is. True, he promised revenge for your rejection of him but by know he's probably become entranced by some strumpet and has forgotten all about you."
Arianna shook her head. "I wish I could believe that, I really do. But he's shown an interest in me since we were children. I didn't notice then. I was so naïve and still am. Despite his obvious attentions I didn't expect him to want to marry me."
"I see." Erik felt his disgust for Kray deepen. He knew that Kray seemed to have a particular fondness for her but had the perverse little creature really stalked her since childhood? Had they played pretend marriage together as children? Had he held her and kissed her cheek and had she, being the innocent child she was, allow this thinking it only as a cousin's innocent affections. Had they held hands while walking together? Erik drew his hand into a fist and forced his nails to bite into his palm. After hearing this he was even more unwilling to go through with what he had to do. Perhaps he could tell her why she had to stay away from him but how could he let her know that the leader she thought was loving and protective was in a reality a heartless fiend? He couldn't destroy her perfect little life. Of course, after this she'd think he was the heartless one and maybe it might have the same effect. But what was he thinking? He didn't matter to anyone and if she ever considered him as a friend she'd easily forget all about him. Electra was the center of their lives and he was just a cursed member of the zodiac. This was as it had to be.
"Erik." She murmured bringing him out of his thoughts. "Why did you bring me into the closet?"
He closed his eyes and held his breath. The curtain was rising and his performance was about to begin. He tried not to think of how he might hurt her.
"I-I wanted you to play a game with me." He said slowly, reaching over to the box on the shelf beside him.
Arianna's forehead wrinkled in confusion. She peered through the darkness but she was still blinded. "A game?" He had dragged her into a closet to play a game? Weird. "What sort of game?" She asked nervously.
"A guessing game." He explained. "I've an item and you have to guess what it is."
"That's all?"
He nodded even though she couldn't see. "That's all but it will be very interesting, I assure you. Now give me your hand."
"I can't see you." She said.
"I can see you just hold it out." She did as she was told and felt his slender hand grasp hers. She blushed and hoped he couldn't see. She had forgotten about the horrible fright he had given her earlier completely and was now focusing on this game of his. She felt her fingertips brush against something soft and warm. She drew her hand back in surprise but he held it still, guiding it across the unknown surface. Whatever it was it had a thin coat of fur.
"Oh! Is it an animal?" She asked curiously.
Erik choked back the feeling of self-loathing rising inside him. "In a way." He replied.
"Is it a mouse?" She queried.
"No," he said shaking his head. There was a few minutes of silence before she said in childish frustration: "I can't figure out what it could be! What is it?"
He shuddered. "Hold it for me while I turn the lights on." He gently placed it in the palm of her hand and to her surprise whatever it was clamped on her wrist tightly. She was convinced that whatever she held was an animal but it definitely was not a mouse. It oddly felt attached to her hand and a vague idea came to her mind. But that wasn't possible. The light clicked on and Arianna glanced down to see a tarantula in her hand! She froze in shock and horror as she took in it's large hairy form, the eight legs, and the glazed black eyes staring up at her. She would have dropped it but Erik kept his hold on her wrist. Her mouth opened to form a scream but he once again covered her mouth with his other hand. A spider! She was terrified of spiders even harmless little ones. Sort of ironic that she should have feelings for someone who transformed into a similar creature. He removed his hand from her mouth and took the tarantula from her.
"Oh dear, it seems you don't care for my little game." He said casually. His tone unnerved her and she felt something wasn't right.
"Erik! You know I'm terrified of spiders!" She exclaimed as she pressed her back against the wall.
"Yes, I do." He said darkly. "That's why am sure you'll listen to what I have to say." He stepped towards her holding the spider out to her. She trembled as he leaned in close to her, the spider only inches away from her.
"Now listen to me, what you did today was incredibly stupid and you had no right to interfere!" He hissed angrily at her. It was painful to look at the fear on her face but he held his ground staring deeply into her large brown eyes. "What possessed you to do that? Now, thanks to you, you've only made things worse!"
"But I don't understand." She stammered. "What have I done? I couldn't believe the way you were acting and I know something's not right. What really happened Erik? Why are you acting this way?"
"You can't take a hint can you, you meddlesome little nuisance! Are you really as stupid as you look? What did you think? Did you think I was nice? You really should know better, my dear. You've seen how I am toward our family. Tidus and Selena? Is my attack on Electra so surprising?"
"But Victor." she protested.
"Victor? He bores me as do you, always whining. It didn't matter what I'd say to him, he still would have let me off but you had the brilliant idea of an investigation. He gave me a roof over my head and freedom to do as I please but now because of you I'll be on constant watch by that morbid statue Darius!" Here he held the spider close to her face and she whimpered pathetically in terror.
"Erik.please put that away. Please," she said shakily.
"Only if you promise to leave me alone! I'm sick and tired of your cheerfulness and optimism! I want nothing more to do with you!"
Tears welled up in her eyes. "Erik," she pleaded.
"Promise, damn you! Promise you'll never speak to me again!" He demanded fiercely. She nodded as the spider got closer. He grinned wickedly and pulled away. He had put it back in it's box when the door opened. The custodian looked at them in bewilderment until a look of realization dawned upon him and he started nodding and grinning at them. Erik snapped at him but Arianna couldn't understand what he'd said. Whatever it was, it made the man very upset. His eyes bulged out of his head and his face went purple. He firmly grabbed a mop and shouted something at them that again, Arianna did not understand, and slammed the door on them.
"I must be leaving," Erik said adding in a bitter voice. "Darius will be looking for me." He stared at her, leaning with her back against the wall and her arms folded across her chest.
"Thank you." She murmured softly. Erik blinked in surprise. What was she saying?
"For what?" he snapped impatiently.
She looked up at him with tears blurring her vision. "I wanted to ask you something. Now it doesn't matter." She opened the door and left, running up the stairs with her face buried in her hands. She had forgotten Katherine's purse. Erik numbly picked it up. What had she wanted to ask him? He leaned against the wall. He wouldn't know now. She must hate him now. Erik would never permit himself to cry but one solitary tear escaped from his eye and slid down his cheek.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Back at Sohma house, Akito's guest had arrived. He made a long exaggerated bow before him.
"So we meet at last, Akito Sohma." He said sweetly with an insipid smile on his angelic face, framed by a chestnut braid.
"Yes, indeed. Welcome Kumi Kuri. Or do you prefer Kray Winter?"
Kray nodded satisfactorily. "You're well informed. My associate is a bit late so perhaps we can chat a while."
"And what have we to talk about?" Akito inquired.
"Well, I represent my leader Electra, of course."
Akito sneered. "I've already spoken to a representative of your leader. She wouldn't be afraid of me would she?"
Kray laughed wildly. "I wonder! I also wonder if perhaps you'd be interested to know that although I represent my leader, I have my own agenda." He giggled again. "Well, we can get on with that later. Until then, shall I tell you our story?"
"Very well," Akito murmured indifferently. He lay down upon the floor, propping himself up on his elbow. He glanced up at Kray and frowned. His guest let out some more laughter convincing Akito that he must be an idiot, and apologetically kneeled in respect as he began his story.
"Years ago, perhaps in the beginning of time, God composed the world of four spirits of water, fire, earth, and air. They were to work together to keep order here upon earth and keep the circle of life running smoothly. For a while, everything was at peace but the spirits became madly jealous of each other. Each felt that the others were considered more important and they went to war with each other. The fire scorched the earth because there was so much of it, air and water fighting together caused monstrous storms. Of course, in all of these instances people were killed and this angered God to the point where he sent an angel down to curse them all. The spirits were imprisoned in human form, stripped of their powers. Since then, the curse has remained among our line of ancestors. So ends the fantasy explanation, however, our family curiously does not have one name like yours and many times siblings will have different last names. We take the names of the seasons of the spirits, hence my name is Winter. Earth had spring, Fire had summer, Air had autumn, and Water had Winter. Now perhaps I may tell you the members of my family."
Akito nodded and Kray continued.
"As I have said we are divided into four families. The Primaveras, the Summers, the Autumns, and the Winters. The spring family has a fancy translation because the earth was the least guilty of the four in causing disaster. It would probably not have been cursed at all if it hadn't been for the infamous earthquake. Ah, well I suppose I'll start there. The first member of the Zodiac is the Aries, one Alexandra. She's only a child; twelve years old and dependant on her brothers. No threat there. Next we have the delightful Taurus, Arianna. She's about fifteen or sixteen and."
"There's no need to explain her, I've seen her already." Akito murmured. Akito was surprised to see a change come over his guest's face. His silly grin and smug expression had transformed to one of utter shock and seriousness.
"She was here?" He choked out. Akito nodded and Kray scanned the room a while, then continued with his explanation as though it hadn't interested him.
"Well then, there is the Gemini: Remus and Romulus, twins. Different as night and day but best of friends until someone, namely me, informed them that one of them was the cursed thirteenth. Since then they are at each other's throats constantly but because of the 'unfortunate' death of their mother, no one knows who is the cursed one They are the brothers of Alexandra, the Aries, and the four of them make up the Primavera family although Arianna is not their sibling."
"The family of Summer consists of the Cancer, Leo, and Virgo. Selena is Leo, the lion, and one of the sexiest females you shall ever set eyes on. But that's all she really is. The Virgo is the innocent Victoria. She's supposedly as close to an angel as any human shall see but because of an illness she is rarely ever seen by us."
"Then there are the Autumns, which has the most messed up members of the family. An outcast, a ruined man, and a black man!" Kray paused to laugh a bit. "The ruined man is Victor, the Libra. Not many know this but I have heard that he and Victoria are siblings. Anyway, Victor was an fair and just man and, if I may say it, a very handsome one too. But not any more." Again he sniggered. "He was Electra's lover until he committed murder. She won't have anything to do with him and his devastation at losing her and what he did has made him age a great deal. He takes care of Erik, the Scorpio. He is the outcast of the family because his sign has long been associated with death and destruction. It's simply delicious how much they hate him! But he's no matter, you hardly see him anyway. Then there's Darius, the only black in our family. He is as judicious as Victor once was with a particular passion for vengeance. He transforms into a centaur, actually, half man, half horse."
"Then there is the Winter family, which I am a part of. Aside from me, there's Katherine, the Aquarius. She's the brain in the family and the Taurus's younger sister. Then there's Tidus, the Pisces. He's an artist and pathetic dreamer. Well, there is our humble family."
"And your leader?" inquired Akito.
"Oh, her! Don't worry your pretty head, I'll have plenty to say about her when the time comes."
At this time the door opened and the man Kray had been expecting entered. The withered old man gave a skeletal grin to them both and bowed, his black robes flowing from his thin frame.
"Ah! May I introduce you to my uncle, Fredrick. The dentist of the family, he has given dentist's world-wide their reputations for sadistic cruelty!" Kray exclaimed dramatically and the old man's grin widened. It widened still at Akito's obvious display of disgust upon seeing him.
"Why these morbid garments, uncle?" Kray asked in curiosity.
"Ve had a trial today." He said in his thick German accent. Kray looked at him in natural surprise.
"But one hasn't been called in what? 2,000, 200 years? Who against?"
Fredrick made an ugly face as it scrunched up in confusion. "Vhy is it I never can remember that von's name? He had a, black hair and very thin."
"Sounds like Tidus." Kray offered.(Remember, Tidus and Erik resembled each other.) His uncle nodded satisfactorily.
"Ya, that sounds like it." He slowly took a seat beside Kray on the floor. "Shall ve get on to business?"
"Yes, let's. I'm sure you're just dying to hear what we have to say for it will profit you I'm sure." Kray began. Akito nodded although by this time he was growing tired of listening to this person. He secretly thought of ways to kill him while listening but stopped as the conversation did, as promised, turn interesting.
"As far as our leader is concerned, we are here to negotiate an alliance between you and her. Doubtless you have already heard such a proposition but that is by no means her real intention. In reality she wants an alliance not for the good of our families but for their eternal misery. Oh, you're interested now? I thought you would be but we're here to give you a better offer. You might think her offer is one of equal partnership but don't be fooled. She wants you to think that, then when the deal is done she'll seduce you. Oh, you may laugh but you must believe me! She's dangerous, much to dangerous and you'll never be able to handle her on her own. Luckily we know this and while she may think she has fooled us into believing her promises in return for our services, we wish to be rid of her. We wish to serve you."
"Why me?" Akito asked warily.
"Because you have more right than she has. To honestly describe her, Electra is nothing but a whore. A very good one, if you understand my meaning, and a dangerous one but still very common."
The Cancer snorted at this. "Vhy is it she sleeps with every man in this family but me?"
This drew a peal of laughter from Kray. "No offense but you're not very desirable, uncle. Besides why should you complain? You have the biggest collection of naughty magazines than anyone I've ever known."
Wishing to hear more of their proposition, Akito attempted to get back on subject. "And exactly how do you plan to be rid of her?"
"Ah! Well as to that," continued Kray. "We allow Electra to believe that you have fallen into her trap so she is not suspicious. Then since you have the Zodiac with such strong creatures, especially the dragon, we have a surprise attack. They'll be outnumbered once I've converted a few more to our cause. She'll be dethroned and killed for that is the only way to be rid of her and that humble and gentle family of mine will be at your mercy. Just think of it! You, the leader of not thirteen but twenty-six to do with as you please!"
Akito was certainly thinking of it and was extremely excited at the thought of it. But he was also aware that there were two sides to an agreement. "And what is it you wish in return?" He asked smoothly.
Kray smiled. "Yes, you are no fool, despite your age." He leaned forward with a glazed look in his eyes. "My uncle is a greasy informant, respectively, and will be loyal as long as no one pays him better."
"And you?" Akito asked, leaning toward him with as much interest.
"Oh, I'd just be proud to be a part of the strongest family in the Zodiac, in the world! Perhaps you may need someone to help keep this surplus to your property under control but I do not require that position, it's just a suggestion."
"Yes." Akito urged him quietly, kneeling so he was at eye level to the traitor. He was beginning to forgive him of his display of idiocy earlier. He had liked his use of the word 'property'".
"I want one." Kray said simply.
"One what?" Akito asked through his teeth, growing a bit impatient.
"One of your new subjects, for me alone. You'll still have twenty- five!" Kray insisted eagerly.
"Ah! I see.you want the silly girl that was here to see me earlier." Akito said with understanding, remembering his reaction to finding out she had been there earlier.
"Yes!" He replied in a hissed whisper.
"Why?" Akito asked simply, raising an eyebrow with interest.
Kray shrugged. "I can't really explain it. She's not as gorgeous as Selena yet I want her. Perhaps it's love, partly anyway. There's a part of me that loves and adores her but at the same time." he trailed off and a possessed look came over his eyes. "And at the same time I want to hurt her, twist her arm, make her scream and watch her blood flow from the wounds I inflict upon her!"
This response surprised both Akito and Fredrick but Akito dared to tease him a bit. "I don't know.I might not want to give you her." He repressed a grin at seeing Kray's devastated face. "She might give me as much pleasure as you seem to think she'll give you." Kray stiffened and clenched his fists. After letting him suffer a bit, Akito said with poisonous sweetness: "Very well, you can have her." So satisfied with the worry on Kray's face, he couldn't help teasing him a bit more. "On one condition."
Once again Kray stiffened but choked out as nicely as he could: "Whatever you wish."
"I wonder if you could assist me in disposing of a little nuisance."
Kray relaxed and smiled, revealing a gun from his pocket. "Of course, this minute if you wish. Whose life do you wish?"
Akito returned his smile and answered firmly. "The life of Tohru Honda."
"Oh, what a pity." Kray said, still smiling. "I thought she was cute."
"Then it is settled." Akito said. "For you, Miss Arianna."
"And for you," Kray replied. "My family, my loyalty, and the life of Tohru Honda."
Kray broke into hysterically laughter and Akito joined him, both creating a chilling and malicious sound. Beside them Fredrick frowned in frustration.
"Vhy is it they get all the fun?"