Mini-glossary of Japanese words/phrases used in this chapter and roughly
translated English equivalent:
maa - 'well' or 'now, now, now' when strung together several times
ne - hey / right
ara - oh, my
arigatou gozaimasu - thank you very much
hai - yes
gomenasai - I'm sorry
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CHAPTER 9: Ill-Fated Meetings
They filed in, one by one, a silent and gloomy procession adding to the dark pall that already hovered within the spacious room that grew less so with each new body that entered, filling the confines still lit by the light of the fading day. Each one, from the largest to smallest, falling into a familiar pattern brought by much practice, kept eyes cast down until he or she was situated upon one of the kneeling cushions laid out across the floor, small squares of cloth designating where they were to go, where their placement was in this one room world that they had sought and been given entrance to. One by one they kneeled and then, only then, did they lift their eyes, all facing in the same direction as their status was made ever so clear by the only figure in the room standing before them, towering over them all as his dark gaze took in the gathering before him.
Akito.
He stood there, a superior smirk gracing his coolly beautiful features as he looked down upon them as befitted his superior station as the pillar of the Souma family, the god of the Jyunnishi, the dark lord of them all. And casting his dark gaze across the solemn gathering collected before him, like passive lambs herded together just prior to their slaughter and final demise, he felt his power strongly, thrumming through the room and covering everyone within it, and he held no concern over their reasons for being here, secure in the belief that their petty wants would do little to touch him.
What were they compared to a god, after all?
Absolutely nothing.
He pulled the strings here and, to prove it, he moved. He stepped off to the side, a small shift of movement, and reveled in the muted gasps of surprise - just the reaction he'd been expecting, planning - that found their way to his ears as he revealed what had been, until now, hidden behind him from their view, courtesy of the concealing drapery of his trailing garments which had successfully screened her from display according to his choosing.
Tohru.
He didn't need to glance back to know what they would see for he knew very well what sight would meet their eyes.
He had, after all, arranged it.
He ignored the person kneeling behind him, artfully posed just as he had dictated earlier, in favor of concentrating his attention on those gathered before him as he read their faces with dark satisfaction, observing the varying degrees of shock and surprise written across them as they beheld Tohru in a way she'd never been presented to them before.
The plain little sparrow they knew so well had been transformed, thanks to him, into an elegant and demure figure very different from the common looking person they were so used to. Like the story of the ugly duckling turned into a beautiful swan, the simple commoner had been converted into a graceful lady of refinement. Dressed in a light green kimono that highlighted her natural coloring and with her hair artfully pinned up while allowing dark tresses to gracefully drape across one side of her face, concealing the marring blemish on her pale skin, she presented a most ladylike picture as she knelt upon the cushion, hands folded gently in her lap as her head was bowed respectfully down, eyes cast to the floor. It was this quiet and serene display that faced everyone as she remained still, situated at Akito's feet like a favored pet that waited wordlessly for its master's next bidding.
Just as they all waited.
The silence stretched on, creating an intense strain upon the atmosphere of the room as the group of visitors kept their eyes trained upon the feminine figure before them, situated so near and yet, at the same time, seeming so very far away. They wanted to speak, to address her and have her acknowledge them in some manner, but to do so without some cue from Akito first could prove to be hazardous for all concerned and so they settled for merely looking. But no matter how concentrated the gazes upon her were, as if willing her to look up, her head remained cast down, avoiding eye contact from those who would wish it.
Akito was the first to speak, shattering the quiet.
"Maa, if the only thing you're going to do is sit there and stare, everyone might as well just go home, ne?" His tone was light, playful. "Really. After I was kind enough to grant your wishes and arrange for a meeting and no one has anything to say? It's very rude." He smirked coldly. "And we all know how I feel about rudeness, ne?"
"Ara, we don't mean to be rude." Shigure spoke up for them all. "Of course we're very grateful that you allowed us this meeting on such short notice." He swept his gaze across his companions. "Isn't that right?"
Many nods and softly voiced assents echoed his sentiments.
Shigure faced Akito again. "See?"
Akito looked at them coolly. "As long as you understand how generous I'm being towards you all, granting your request even when I don't have to or particularly want to, I'll let it go this time."
"Arigatou gozaimasu." Shigure inclined his slightly in a small bow. "You're really too kind."
"Hai, I am." His eyes narrowed at them. "Remember that."
"Of course," Shigure murmured obligingly.
As silence fell upon the room again, Akito swept his gaze over them, noticing how the younger ones flinched when it passed over them. Their reaction made his lips curl upwards in a cruel twist of gratification. It was proof of the effect he had on them, a sign of his power and the strong tie that bonded them to him, making them bow down to his will. He was the center of their attention as they focused on him, wondering how to keep him pleased, trying not to offend him as each in his or her own way attempted to decipher his subtle shifts in mood, the odd turns of his mind, in order to avoid inciting his anger. The knowledge filled him with dark satisfaction as he moved, his motion capturing and holding their awareness of him. He felt the weight of their watchful stares, a varying mix of fear and wariness that followed him with every step he took further into their clustered midst.
His steps were slow, languid, as he walked with grace, his garments trailing loosely on the floor with his every movement in the barest whisper of sound of silky cloth on smooth wood. He wound his way around them, flowing like water around the spaces between where they were set like stone statuary in a carefully planned garden, sliding his hand lightly over each person he passed, establishing physical contact in an invasion of personal space that left his mark and let them remember just who it was to whom they belonged.
They were his.
And he made sure they knew it as he touched each person he passed, their fear and wariness towards him so strong that he could almost taste it.
Kyou wasn't there, of course, for the cat was forbidden to enter here without his permission, something he wouldn't grant within his sanctity as Akito had no desire to see, or touch, that vile and disgusting ugly monster with his polluting presence who he regretfully owned just as much as the others. And it was the others that he reminded to whom they belonged: Shigure, Hatori, Kisa, Hiro, Hatsuharu, Kagura, Momiji, and Yuki.
Especially Yuki.
He had the most interest in Yuki, the one who thought he could find a way to distance himself from what he was, who tried to turn his back on Akito and foolishly entertained the hope that he might succeed.
But Akito would show him differently.
Escaping him was impossible.
As he ran his hand lightly over Yuki's shoulder, Akito felt the tightening of muscles beneath his hand, observed the paling of skin, the slight widening of wary eyes that tried not to appear so frightened - and failed, of course. The reactions were so small that they might have gone unnoticed under ordinary eyes, but Akito knew what signs to look for and what he saw pleased him greatly. The small signs were proof that Yuki still belonged to him, responded to him, was unable to shake away and forget what had passed between them in past years. It didn't matter whether Yuki accepted it or not, realized it or not; his reactions to Akito were so ingrained that they would always be within him and he would never be free of that.
It made Akito smile.
The smile faded, however, when he realized that, despite the fear and awareness of him that hung heavy and thick within the room, he didn't have their full attention. Instead of having them all focused completely on him the way they should be, they were all gazing forward, towards the front of the room.
Towards her.
"Tohru-san."
Akito noticed the startled jerking of the bodies around him as his sudden barking of her name broke the hushed and strained stillness of the room as those around him automatically turned towards the source of the sound. But Akito ignored them, intent only on the one whose name he had called, waiting until she lifted her startled gaze to meet his in unspoken connection.
He tilted his head and she cast her eyes once more to the floor as she rose with a graceful slowness, the motion capturing everyone's attention as heads swiveled to the front of the room.
"Honda-san?" Yuki frowned as she began taking steps to the door. He turned an angry gaze to Akito. "Where is she going?"
"Back to her room, of course." He glanced at her. "Tohru-san."
She immediately stopped where she was, doing for Akito's voice what she hadn't for Yuki's, a freezing of motion that elicited concerned frowns in her direction from most of the faces directed towards her. Noticing them, a curl of satisfaction wound through him. They could see now his power over her, his and not theirs, and that she obeyed him just like they should, that she belonged to him now and was far out of their reach depending on whatever he chose to dictate.
Akito concealed a smirk, arching one dark brow as he spoke, drawing everyone's attention to him once again.
"You all came because you were worried about her, ne? No doubt Hatori told you about the little incident earlier." He turned his narrowed gaze, one that was not wholly pleased, upon the doctor. "Didn't you?"
"Hai," Hatori responded quietly. "I did."
"Then you should all know that Tohru-san needs her rest to recuperate." Akito swept a chiding glance over the gathering. "Have you no concern for her? Honestly, to request a meeting when you know what she's been though and then to say nothing to her, to just sit and stare and keep her from resting like she should be instead of pandering to your selfish whims to see her - have you no shame?"
Yuki trembled in anger at how Akito was twisting things around. "It's not like that."
"Oh, really?" Akito's words turned icy as he looked at the mouse, roving it over everyone else as well. "Then I must be wrong then, is that it?" He gripped Yuki's shoulder harder, fingers digging in a painful mesh of bone and flesh that was sure to leave dark bruising on the morrow in a promise of worse to come. "Are you saying I'm wrong," he drew the words out in a dangerous sibilant hiss that caused faces to drain of color, "Yuki?"
Stricken, Yuki shook his head, shamefully casting his gaze to the floor, as did some of the others around him.
Akito released Yuki and stared at everyone, placing hands on hips as his features changed to one of light disapproval, reminiscent of the expression a benevolent mother would have in scolding her errant child.
"Really, I thought better of all of you than this. Who would have thought you'd turn out to be such troublemakers? To think that Tohru-san regards you all as such good friends." He gave a sad sigh. "But if you truly were, then you wouldn't be wasting her time like this when she needs to recover." He smirked at them. "Being so uncaring about her health, you've just shown how truly unconcerned about her you are. Tohru-san really shouldn't have such uncaring friends like that, don't you agree?" He shrugged loosely. "Maa, I guess I'll just have be the one to make sure she gets what she needs, ne?"
"Shouldn't Honda-san be the one to decide what she needs?" Yuki's voice was tight as he raised his up to glare at Akito. "What she wants?"
And Akito smiled, his eyes glittering like those of a hunter whose trap has been successfully sprung.
"That's right," Akito intoned silkily as he turned towards the girl in question. "Tohru-san, why don't you tell everyone here what it is you want? Don't be shy, now. You're among friends, after all, so there's no need to be polite." His eyes narrowed. "And don't worry about hurting anyone's feelings."
"Honda-san?" Yuki questioned, his tone softening as all everyone turned to her. "Is there anything you want to say?" A wary glance flickered towards Akito and back to her. "If there's anything you want us to do, tell us and we'll try. Just speak freely."
And she stood there, bearing the weight of the gazes resting upon her as a slight tremble wracked her slender frame just before she suddenly bowed deeply to the occupants of the room.
"Gomenasai," she said softly, never lifting her head to look at them. "I'm grateful for everything everyone has done for me, truly I am. And I apologize for leaving so suddenly but I'd like to stay here for now."
"That can't be true!" Yuki burst out.
"Quiet!" Akito snapped chillingly, the ice in his words freezing the occupants of the room. "Don't you know it's rude to interrupt a lady? Or can it be that you don't think that she's a lady who deserves respectful silence when she speaks, hmm?"
Yuki shook his head, lips drawn into a tight line as he fell silent while the other gatherers remained deathly still.
"Then we should let the lady proceed." Akito's tone suddenly became gentlemanly, the epitome of warm courtesy and goodwill. "Tohru-san, go on with what you were saying, please. I'm sure there will be no more interruptions." His voice became hard as a mountain of granite as he glared at everyone. "Will there?"
A forest of shaking heads surrounded him as they avoided his cold and dark gaze.
"Just as it should be." His voice became warm once more, almost coaxing. "Go on, Tohru-san."
"Hai." She drew in a deep breath, hoping to draw together her courage as well. "I would also like to ask that," she hesitated a brief moment then continued to speak, "I'd like to ask that you not come to visit me anymore. Please."
"Onee-chan?"
"Tohru?"
"Honda-san?"
"Tohru-kun?"
"Please," she said, more firmly this time though her voice was strained, to the surprised and concerned tones directed towards her. "Please, don't ask to see me anymore." She forced out the words. "It's what I want."
"Very good, Tohru-san." Akito kept his tone neutral. "You may leave now."
She did, obeying his directive though his words seemed devoid of command on the surface. She never lifted her gaze from the floorboards at her feet carried her with the quickest steps that she could manage with the constrictive material of the kimono about her legs, leaving amid the cries of her name and calls for her to stop from friends whom she turned her back on as she exited the room, closing the door quietly behind her and the occupants within just as the first tears began to fall.
maa - 'well' or 'now, now, now' when strung together several times
ne - hey / right
ara - oh, my
arigatou gozaimasu - thank you very much
hai - yes
gomenasai - I'm sorry
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CHAPTER 9: Ill-Fated Meetings
They filed in, one by one, a silent and gloomy procession adding to the dark pall that already hovered within the spacious room that grew less so with each new body that entered, filling the confines still lit by the light of the fading day. Each one, from the largest to smallest, falling into a familiar pattern brought by much practice, kept eyes cast down until he or she was situated upon one of the kneeling cushions laid out across the floor, small squares of cloth designating where they were to go, where their placement was in this one room world that they had sought and been given entrance to. One by one they kneeled and then, only then, did they lift their eyes, all facing in the same direction as their status was made ever so clear by the only figure in the room standing before them, towering over them all as his dark gaze took in the gathering before him.
Akito.
He stood there, a superior smirk gracing his coolly beautiful features as he looked down upon them as befitted his superior station as the pillar of the Souma family, the god of the Jyunnishi, the dark lord of them all. And casting his dark gaze across the solemn gathering collected before him, like passive lambs herded together just prior to their slaughter and final demise, he felt his power strongly, thrumming through the room and covering everyone within it, and he held no concern over their reasons for being here, secure in the belief that their petty wants would do little to touch him.
What were they compared to a god, after all?
Absolutely nothing.
He pulled the strings here and, to prove it, he moved. He stepped off to the side, a small shift of movement, and reveled in the muted gasps of surprise - just the reaction he'd been expecting, planning - that found their way to his ears as he revealed what had been, until now, hidden behind him from their view, courtesy of the concealing drapery of his trailing garments which had successfully screened her from display according to his choosing.
Tohru.
He didn't need to glance back to know what they would see for he knew very well what sight would meet their eyes.
He had, after all, arranged it.
He ignored the person kneeling behind him, artfully posed just as he had dictated earlier, in favor of concentrating his attention on those gathered before him as he read their faces with dark satisfaction, observing the varying degrees of shock and surprise written across them as they beheld Tohru in a way she'd never been presented to them before.
The plain little sparrow they knew so well had been transformed, thanks to him, into an elegant and demure figure very different from the common looking person they were so used to. Like the story of the ugly duckling turned into a beautiful swan, the simple commoner had been converted into a graceful lady of refinement. Dressed in a light green kimono that highlighted her natural coloring and with her hair artfully pinned up while allowing dark tresses to gracefully drape across one side of her face, concealing the marring blemish on her pale skin, she presented a most ladylike picture as she knelt upon the cushion, hands folded gently in her lap as her head was bowed respectfully down, eyes cast to the floor. It was this quiet and serene display that faced everyone as she remained still, situated at Akito's feet like a favored pet that waited wordlessly for its master's next bidding.
Just as they all waited.
The silence stretched on, creating an intense strain upon the atmosphere of the room as the group of visitors kept their eyes trained upon the feminine figure before them, situated so near and yet, at the same time, seeming so very far away. They wanted to speak, to address her and have her acknowledge them in some manner, but to do so without some cue from Akito first could prove to be hazardous for all concerned and so they settled for merely looking. But no matter how concentrated the gazes upon her were, as if willing her to look up, her head remained cast down, avoiding eye contact from those who would wish it.
Akito was the first to speak, shattering the quiet.
"Maa, if the only thing you're going to do is sit there and stare, everyone might as well just go home, ne?" His tone was light, playful. "Really. After I was kind enough to grant your wishes and arrange for a meeting and no one has anything to say? It's very rude." He smirked coldly. "And we all know how I feel about rudeness, ne?"
"Ara, we don't mean to be rude." Shigure spoke up for them all. "Of course we're very grateful that you allowed us this meeting on such short notice." He swept his gaze across his companions. "Isn't that right?"
Many nods and softly voiced assents echoed his sentiments.
Shigure faced Akito again. "See?"
Akito looked at them coolly. "As long as you understand how generous I'm being towards you all, granting your request even when I don't have to or particularly want to, I'll let it go this time."
"Arigatou gozaimasu." Shigure inclined his slightly in a small bow. "You're really too kind."
"Hai, I am." His eyes narrowed at them. "Remember that."
"Of course," Shigure murmured obligingly.
As silence fell upon the room again, Akito swept his gaze over them, noticing how the younger ones flinched when it passed over them. Their reaction made his lips curl upwards in a cruel twist of gratification. It was proof of the effect he had on them, a sign of his power and the strong tie that bonded them to him, making them bow down to his will. He was the center of their attention as they focused on him, wondering how to keep him pleased, trying not to offend him as each in his or her own way attempted to decipher his subtle shifts in mood, the odd turns of his mind, in order to avoid inciting his anger. The knowledge filled him with dark satisfaction as he moved, his motion capturing and holding their awareness of him. He felt the weight of their watchful stares, a varying mix of fear and wariness that followed him with every step he took further into their clustered midst.
His steps were slow, languid, as he walked with grace, his garments trailing loosely on the floor with his every movement in the barest whisper of sound of silky cloth on smooth wood. He wound his way around them, flowing like water around the spaces between where they were set like stone statuary in a carefully planned garden, sliding his hand lightly over each person he passed, establishing physical contact in an invasion of personal space that left his mark and let them remember just who it was to whom they belonged.
They were his.
And he made sure they knew it as he touched each person he passed, their fear and wariness towards him so strong that he could almost taste it.
Kyou wasn't there, of course, for the cat was forbidden to enter here without his permission, something he wouldn't grant within his sanctity as Akito had no desire to see, or touch, that vile and disgusting ugly monster with his polluting presence who he regretfully owned just as much as the others. And it was the others that he reminded to whom they belonged: Shigure, Hatori, Kisa, Hiro, Hatsuharu, Kagura, Momiji, and Yuki.
Especially Yuki.
He had the most interest in Yuki, the one who thought he could find a way to distance himself from what he was, who tried to turn his back on Akito and foolishly entertained the hope that he might succeed.
But Akito would show him differently.
Escaping him was impossible.
As he ran his hand lightly over Yuki's shoulder, Akito felt the tightening of muscles beneath his hand, observed the paling of skin, the slight widening of wary eyes that tried not to appear so frightened - and failed, of course. The reactions were so small that they might have gone unnoticed under ordinary eyes, but Akito knew what signs to look for and what he saw pleased him greatly. The small signs were proof that Yuki still belonged to him, responded to him, was unable to shake away and forget what had passed between them in past years. It didn't matter whether Yuki accepted it or not, realized it or not; his reactions to Akito were so ingrained that they would always be within him and he would never be free of that.
It made Akito smile.
The smile faded, however, when he realized that, despite the fear and awareness of him that hung heavy and thick within the room, he didn't have their full attention. Instead of having them all focused completely on him the way they should be, they were all gazing forward, towards the front of the room.
Towards her.
"Tohru-san."
Akito noticed the startled jerking of the bodies around him as his sudden barking of her name broke the hushed and strained stillness of the room as those around him automatically turned towards the source of the sound. But Akito ignored them, intent only on the one whose name he had called, waiting until she lifted her startled gaze to meet his in unspoken connection.
He tilted his head and she cast her eyes once more to the floor as she rose with a graceful slowness, the motion capturing everyone's attention as heads swiveled to the front of the room.
"Honda-san?" Yuki frowned as she began taking steps to the door. He turned an angry gaze to Akito. "Where is she going?"
"Back to her room, of course." He glanced at her. "Tohru-san."
She immediately stopped where she was, doing for Akito's voice what she hadn't for Yuki's, a freezing of motion that elicited concerned frowns in her direction from most of the faces directed towards her. Noticing them, a curl of satisfaction wound through him. They could see now his power over her, his and not theirs, and that she obeyed him just like they should, that she belonged to him now and was far out of their reach depending on whatever he chose to dictate.
Akito concealed a smirk, arching one dark brow as he spoke, drawing everyone's attention to him once again.
"You all came because you were worried about her, ne? No doubt Hatori told you about the little incident earlier." He turned his narrowed gaze, one that was not wholly pleased, upon the doctor. "Didn't you?"
"Hai," Hatori responded quietly. "I did."
"Then you should all know that Tohru-san needs her rest to recuperate." Akito swept a chiding glance over the gathering. "Have you no concern for her? Honestly, to request a meeting when you know what she's been though and then to say nothing to her, to just sit and stare and keep her from resting like she should be instead of pandering to your selfish whims to see her - have you no shame?"
Yuki trembled in anger at how Akito was twisting things around. "It's not like that."
"Oh, really?" Akito's words turned icy as he looked at the mouse, roving it over everyone else as well. "Then I must be wrong then, is that it?" He gripped Yuki's shoulder harder, fingers digging in a painful mesh of bone and flesh that was sure to leave dark bruising on the morrow in a promise of worse to come. "Are you saying I'm wrong," he drew the words out in a dangerous sibilant hiss that caused faces to drain of color, "Yuki?"
Stricken, Yuki shook his head, shamefully casting his gaze to the floor, as did some of the others around him.
Akito released Yuki and stared at everyone, placing hands on hips as his features changed to one of light disapproval, reminiscent of the expression a benevolent mother would have in scolding her errant child.
"Really, I thought better of all of you than this. Who would have thought you'd turn out to be such troublemakers? To think that Tohru-san regards you all as such good friends." He gave a sad sigh. "But if you truly were, then you wouldn't be wasting her time like this when she needs to recover." He smirked at them. "Being so uncaring about her health, you've just shown how truly unconcerned about her you are. Tohru-san really shouldn't have such uncaring friends like that, don't you agree?" He shrugged loosely. "Maa, I guess I'll just have be the one to make sure she gets what she needs, ne?"
"Shouldn't Honda-san be the one to decide what she needs?" Yuki's voice was tight as he raised his up to glare at Akito. "What she wants?"
And Akito smiled, his eyes glittering like those of a hunter whose trap has been successfully sprung.
"That's right," Akito intoned silkily as he turned towards the girl in question. "Tohru-san, why don't you tell everyone here what it is you want? Don't be shy, now. You're among friends, after all, so there's no need to be polite." His eyes narrowed. "And don't worry about hurting anyone's feelings."
"Honda-san?" Yuki questioned, his tone softening as all everyone turned to her. "Is there anything you want to say?" A wary glance flickered towards Akito and back to her. "If there's anything you want us to do, tell us and we'll try. Just speak freely."
And she stood there, bearing the weight of the gazes resting upon her as a slight tremble wracked her slender frame just before she suddenly bowed deeply to the occupants of the room.
"Gomenasai," she said softly, never lifting her head to look at them. "I'm grateful for everything everyone has done for me, truly I am. And I apologize for leaving so suddenly but I'd like to stay here for now."
"That can't be true!" Yuki burst out.
"Quiet!" Akito snapped chillingly, the ice in his words freezing the occupants of the room. "Don't you know it's rude to interrupt a lady? Or can it be that you don't think that she's a lady who deserves respectful silence when she speaks, hmm?"
Yuki shook his head, lips drawn into a tight line as he fell silent while the other gatherers remained deathly still.
"Then we should let the lady proceed." Akito's tone suddenly became gentlemanly, the epitome of warm courtesy and goodwill. "Tohru-san, go on with what you were saying, please. I'm sure there will be no more interruptions." His voice became hard as a mountain of granite as he glared at everyone. "Will there?"
A forest of shaking heads surrounded him as they avoided his cold and dark gaze.
"Just as it should be." His voice became warm once more, almost coaxing. "Go on, Tohru-san."
"Hai." She drew in a deep breath, hoping to draw together her courage as well. "I would also like to ask that," she hesitated a brief moment then continued to speak, "I'd like to ask that you not come to visit me anymore. Please."
"Onee-chan?"
"Tohru?"
"Honda-san?"
"Tohru-kun?"
"Please," she said, more firmly this time though her voice was strained, to the surprised and concerned tones directed towards her. "Please, don't ask to see me anymore." She forced out the words. "It's what I want."
"Very good, Tohru-san." Akito kept his tone neutral. "You may leave now."
She did, obeying his directive though his words seemed devoid of command on the surface. She never lifted her gaze from the floorboards at her feet carried her with the quickest steps that she could manage with the constrictive material of the kimono about her legs, leaving amid the cries of her name and calls for her to stop from friends whom she turned her back on as she exited the room, closing the door quietly behind her and the occupants within just as the first tears began to fall.