AN: Well, I don't usually respond to reviews due time constraints since,
if I replied to everyone that I get reviews from with all the fics I've got
going, it would probably take about as long as writing a chapter. But
since I did get a question, one response isn't so bad.
[dumdeedum] - I haven't forgotten about Uo and Hana but, keep in mind, in the timeframe of this story, not even two days have gone by yet so there's no reason yet for her friends to come around looking for her. Funny you should mention that though because I was going to bring that particular topic up in the next chapter. You're getting ahead of me. (^^)
To everyone else - Yes, I realize this takes some dark and depressing turns but I can't write fluffy fics all the time. And this is fun in its own way. Well, to me anyway because it's just so fun to write. In any case, thanks for bearing with me through this. I swear it'll all come to a head soon since I estimate maybe another 5 chapters for this and then it'll be done. The only problem comes from finding the time to write them.
Mini-glossary of Japanese words/phrases used in this chapter and roughly translated English equivalent:
iie - no
ne - hey / right
maa - 'well' or 'now, now, now' when strung together several times
ara - oh, my
hai - yes
```````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````` ```````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````` ````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````
CHAPTER 10: Sacrificing Bargains
Barely had the door slid closed behind Tohru with a quiet snick than Yuki had swung his head to look at Akito with a furious glare in his eye that was matched by the anger that throbbed in his voice, capturing the attention of everyone else left in the room as they turned to stare with varying degrees of pained dread, surprise, and horror at the tableau occurring in their midst.
"Akito, what did you do to her?" Yuki asked harshly.
"Why, nothing."
Akito merely appeared coolly amused in the face of the stares directed at him, many of them accusatory, as he casually drew up the material slipping off his shoulder as if he hadn't a care in the world. It was a lazy action that might have resulted in a languid atmosphere settling upon the gathering if it hadn't been for the hand suddenly slapping on the floorboards, a harsh sharp and angry cracking sound that reverberated in the room.
"Don't try to deny it," Yuki snapped, eyes flashing furiously. "Honda-san wouldn't just leave us like that of her own volition."
"Oh? And how could you know that with such certainty? Do you presume to know every single thing that goes on in another person's mind?"
"Iie."
Akito arched a brow, smirking.
"But," continued Yuki determinedly, "I do know Honda-san. Better than you do. And I know that she's not acting like herself."
Irritation flared within Akito at Yuki's words though he hid it well as he kept his tone light and uncaring, goading. "Perhaps you don't know her as well as you think then, ne? Or maybe she's turned over a new leaf."
"Not that leaf." Yuki stared at him accusingly. "Not without help."
"And you think I have something to do with it?" Akito asked in mock surprise. "Why, whatever makes you think that?"
"Stop playing around!"
"You think I'm playing?"
Yuki glared. "No matter what Honda-san said, you can't possibly think that we'd believe she'd say what she just did of her own accord."
"That really wasn't like Tohru," Momiji added seriously, shooting Akito a reproachful glance. "She didn't even smile at us once."
"A-and I'm sure Onee-chan would have been happy to see us," Kisa stammered softly, nervously. "Not like she was just now."
Casting his gaze around, Akito saw that the majority of the faces turned towards appeared to be of the same mind as they looked at him with accusatory eyes - that he was the one at fault. It was amusing in a way since he, in his ultimate wisdom and foresight, had expected it. However, it was still infuriating since he detested how they felt they had the freedom to voice their opinions of his fault in this situation out loud, even Kisa who was the weakest of the group. It was amazing how they almost seemed to be gathering their pitiful forces against him; the backbone they were all suddenly displaying was highly annoying - and not to be tolerated.
It was time to remind them who was in charge.
"Watch your mouths when you speak to me."
Rage, barely leashed, infused his biting voice with fire and ice, a lethal combination that gave everyone who heard it pause as Akito seemed to loom dangerously larger in a room that suddenly felt much too small to hold them all, making them feel like the trapped animals of their Jyunnishi counterparts. Akito's dark gaze, glittering with building fury, swept over their kneeling forms as he towered over them and brutally reminded him of the hierarchy of their lives where they were placed in the lower rungs.
"Don't forget just who it is that you're addressing so disrespectfully, you ungrateful lot," Akito spat lividly. "After everything I've done for you, you just keep on asking for more like the selfish misbegotten animals you are. I look after you and care for you when even your parents turn away from you in disgust and what kind of gratitude do you give me in return?" His expression twisted. "You disregard my generous spirit! I let you have this little meeting that you interrupted my day to request when I didn't have to and which you certainly don't deserve with the deplorable way you behave towards me. Now, is that anyway for you to act?"
No one made a sound.
"Honda Tohru." His tone was suddenly calm, placid. "What is it about her?"
Worry appeared on the faces of his audience at his sudden switch in tone and topic. When he said nothing more and seemed to lapse into silence, it was Yuki who ventured to breech it while the others looked on.
"What do you mean?" he asked cautiously.
Akito gave him a look, as if surprised he even had to ask. "Maa, of course I'm talking about how she manages to get everyone to act as they do." His eyes narrowed. "Just like you're all acting now - speaking up against me. What do you make of that?"
Everyone remained silent, refusing to respond and risk further wrath.
"It's strange really." He spoke almost absently, as if none of it mattered at all. "I'm treating her so kindly even though she's such a poor little commoner and shouldn't even be having any relations with the Souma family at all, much less knowing about the curse when she shouldn't have anything to do with it. Amazing how I let her keep her memories, ne? Of course, I could always change that."
The silence thickened, lengthened, tensed.
Akito smiled. "But since I'm such a nice person and no one seems to want me to do that, I'm considerate enough to let her keep her memories."
There was a fractional relaxing of tension in the room.
"But, isn't it odd how, despite my consideration, it seems that everyone still sees me as the villain?"
Silence.
"Maa, I suppose it doesn't really matter. Probably just my imagination, ne?"
No response.
Akito shrugged. "Still, it would be nice to receive some words of appreciation every once in a while for being so benevolent towards you all. And, of course, for showing my kindness to Tohru-san as well, since you all seem to be so fond of her. After all, I'm generous enough to allow her to live here in luxury like I'm sure she's never even dreamed of doing in that common mind of hers. I give her beautiful and expensive clothes to wear that she'd never be able to afford in years with that measly job of hers. I'm even giving her recompense for the time that she's away from her employment," he smirked, "however long that may be."
Several figures stiffened, but remained grimly silent.
"That's right," Akito continued smoothly. "I don't see how you can possibly worry about leaving her here when she has me to look out for her. I'm not a monster, after all." He gave a small chuckle. "I see to it that she has everything she needs, just as a proper host should. She has servants waiting on her instead of being the one to do the waiting. Excellent cooks prepare her meals, and she doesn't even have to worry about such pesky things as mundane chores. She has it much easier now than where she was; it's no wonder why she prefers to stay here."
That was going too far.
"You say that like it was her choice," Yuki said angrily.
"Oh, you don't think it was?"
Yuki's answer was in his glare.
"Ara, how can you be like that? To think that I have my hand in this?" Akito looked hurt. "Did you see me anywhere near her when she told all of you that she wanted to stay here?"
"Iie, but there's more than one way to force someone to say something." Yuki's expression was telling. "I know that better than anyone."
Akito's eyes narrowed. "You don't seem very happy with that piece of knowledge."
"I doubt that anyone would be."
A tense quiet fell as Akito and Yuki locked in silent battle as they exchanged hard glares, neither one willing to back down. To the onlookers, the situation presented a painful and nerve-wracking sight as unspoken messages seemed to flow between them in a cryptic means of communication that they couldn't fathom as tormentor and former tormentee faced off as memories past pains and events practically shimmered in the air around them.
But, in the end, it was Yuki who dropped his gaze first from Akito's swirling dark eyes.
Pleased with the outcome, Akito smiled. "I'm sure you exaggerate, Yuki. I don't think it was that bad."
Yuki didn't say anything at all.
"It's been a long time, after all," Akito went on, "since you left here to go and live at Shigure's. The memories of living here, so near to me, surely must have faded away or become distorted." He gave Yuki a sympathetic glance. "You probably don't remember it correctly after all the that's time passed since then."
Though Yuki's lips tightened into an angry line, he said nothing.
"That's alright," Akito said good-naturedly. "I'm feeling very generous today so I'll excuse your temerity and chalk it up to being overexcited at seeing your dear Tohru-san once more. It will, after all, as per her request, be quite a while no doubt before you get to see her again."
"I don't like that," Momiji murmured.
Though his voice was pitched low, nearly inaudible to the ears, Akito still heard him and diverted his attention from Yuki to swing terrifyingly burning eyes in Momiji's direction as the shift rocketed the palpable tension in the room, causing the others to go deathly still in reaction.
"Does the little rabbit have something to say?" Akito's hissed words snaked through the room. "If so, then why don't you speak up so everyone can hear you clearly?"
Momiji tilted his chin higher. "I said, 'I don't like it.'"
"What a shame." His lips curled though the hard glint in his eyes never wavered. "We all know how much I care about what you think, little rabbit."
"I don't happen to like it either," Kagura spoke up, expression set.
Akito's gaze switched to her. "What a surprise."
"I don't either," Kisa's voice, on the verge of quivering, said softly as she looked up with wide, fearful eyes that shone with hints of her own brave staunchness of opinion.
Akito merely aimed a dark look at the bristling little tiger that seemed to be unsheathing the beginnings of her growing tiny claws. He also gave his narrow regard to the others around him who had yet to speak, taking in Hiro and Hatsuharu's silent faces that nevertheless managed to express their own brand of dislike. Even the stoic doctor who had yet to say a word since he'd entered bore an expression of barely concealed disapproval. Shigure, on the other hand, maintained a bland mask, that of a waiting watcher carefully observing the action from the sidelines. Though Akito gave Shigure's inscrutable features a hard glare, he ignored the dog for the moment in favor of the others who outnumbered him in bodies with their current tangible dislike.
"Liking, not liking - in the end, what does it matter?" His tone was a harsh whiplash that sliced through the air. "What can you do about it? Tohru-san chose herself to stay. No matter what feeble ideas you have about it, it was by her own will that she said what she did. It's what she wants." He smirked at Yuki. "Are you really that selfish to deny her what she told you she wants? Are you that eager to tear her away from here where she doesn't have to lift a finger to drag her back to labor for you in drudgery?"
"Stop it," Yuki snapped. "You're just twisting things around again."
"Am I really?" He gazed at Yuki with hooded eyes. "Let's take a moment to tally things up, shall we?" He tilted his head. "She cooks and cleans for you, looks after you like you can't look after yourselves, doesn't she? Be reasonable - don't you think that's a trial for her, a burden sometimes? And not only that, but you use her to make yourself feel normal, fooling yourself about what you really are. It's your fault she's been pulled further into our world instead of remaining an outsider like she's supposed to be. You may prefer to give it a wholesome sounding name like 'friendship,' but can such a self-centered thing really be labeled that? Honestly," his cool glance roamed over the gathering, "you should all be ashamed of yourselves for how you've used her. And now, after I've provided her with all the time to relax and creature comforts she could desire, you selfishly want her to go back to where she performs menial labor and fawns over you so that you can feel better about yourselves?" His eyes glittered viciously. "Maa, I suppose that's all you can expect of animals."
His harsh words were like a slap in the face and some of the faces reflected the hit such as Kisa whose features crumpled into teary eyes and doubt. For a brief moment, uncertainty crossed even Yuki's expression before it hardened into set determination.
"Enough of this." His words were sharp, precise. "Just return Honda-san to us."
A dark eyebrow arched. "And if I refuse? If I decide to just keep her all to myself and never, ever let her go?"
Yuki shot to his feet until he was eye-to-eye with Akito, staring with furious eyes into his, which flickered for a moment with surprise while shocked and horrified gasps stirred the air around them. But, despite the unexpected action, Akito remained stalwart in the face of Yuki's anger and smirked infuriatingly, fanning the flames of the volatile situation of which he felt he still held the upper hand.
And he did.
"So, what? You'll stand in front of me and glare?" Akito laughed. "Yuki, you can be so silly sometimes. I'd almost forgotten." He reached out to pat his cheek, enjoying his involuntary flinch. "Really, what do you possibly think you can do?"
Yuki's hand flexed, fisted - and snagged Akito's attention.
"You want to hit me?" Dark amusement crossed his features. "How strange. I feel the same towards you sometimes. Odd, ne?"
"Akito," Yuki growled lowly. "Stop it."
"Or you'll do what? Hit me?" Akito stared challengingly. "I'd like to see you try." He tilted his chin. "Go ahead. Give it your best shot."
Yuki's arm shook with effort, but never moved from its position by his side.
"See?" Akito chuckled blackly. "You can't. I'm your god, after all. You could never possibly lift a finger to hurt me no matter how much you want to." He gave Yuki's cheek a light caress. "Do you see how powerless you are? It's the way things have always been, how they'll always be. Really, you should all just give up trying and accept thing the way they are, how they're meant to be."
"I don't believe that this is how it's meant to be," came Yuki's strained tone.
"Oh?" Akito gave him a considering look, letting his hand drop back to his side. "Perhaps you're right. Maybe things can be changed."
Barely concealed suspicion and wariness crossed many faces at Akito's agreeable mellow tone and words; easy capitulation from him often boded ill as most of them could attest to having been deceived and lulled into a false sense of security by it before at one time or another in their lives. One could never be too sure with Akito and the breezy smile he showed them was not to be trusted no matter how honest it appeared to be on the surface.
"Honda Tohru."
Those four silkily drawn out syllables had everyone stiffening, going on red alert, though Akito didn't seem to notice the unflattering stares aimed in his direction as he moved almost absently, flowing towards the front of the room until he stopped, his back facing them all. Those behind him exchanged wary glances, wondering what the head of the Souma family had in store for them this time.
"Do you want her to return so badly?" Only casual curiosity seemed to be heard in Akito's voice. "Really and truly?"
The younger Jyunnishi looked towards the older for guidance on how to answer but Hatori's tired face offered no help, only weariness, while Shigure merely arched his brows as if wondering why on earth they were seeking a silly dog's advice.
Clearly, they were on their own.
"Hai," Yuki spoke up for them all, tone cautious. "We do."
"And that would make you happy?"
After a brief moment's pause, Yuki answered warily, "Hai."
"Maa, then I guess there's just no helping it." Shoulders heaved in a forlorn sounding sigh. "I'm always thinking about your happiness, after all. And if it makes you happy, then she's free to go back to Shigure's if she wants."
"Really?" he asked in surprise.
He wasn't the only one as many of the others held the same shocked expression.
"Hai, of course," replied Akito. "There's no real reason for her to be here; she's not family, after all."
A mingled sense of heightened relief filled the room, lightening the dark gloomy pall that hung over it and those who resided within.
But Akito wasn't done yet.
"However," he continued smoothly, "there is just one little thing. There are few things in life that come without a price, ne? Don't you agree?"
Yuki's mouth tightened grimly as he regarded Akito's back. "What do you want?"
"Nothing too terrible; merely something of equal worth. An exchange, if you will."
"What sort of an exchange?"
"A companion," Akito said languidly. "After all, if Tohru-san returns with you, then I'll be left without someone to keep me company. And that would be very, very bad."
"There's Kureno," came Hatsuharu's bland voice. "What's wrong with him?"
"He's too boring. And I've had him so long, being with him has gotten stale; no fun at all anymore." A hand waved in dismissal. "I need someone new, someone different."
Yuki swallowed hard, a cold sweat breaking across his back. "Who do you have in mind?"
"Yuki."
He shuddered.
Akito let out a laugh, never once having turned around. "Do you think I'll ask for you, little mouse? Do you believe that you're so important that no one else will come to mind?" He spoke carelessly, lightly. "Anyone will do, really. But an exchange must be made. Fair is fair, after all - a companion for a companion. Now, who among will be willing to sacrifice his life to me, give it up for me to do with as I see fit, even unto death?" He chuckled in dark amusement. "Or something like that."
Not one word was spoken.
"Oh, come now. Not one of you is willing to trade places with your beloved Honda Tohru?" Akito sneered. "How pitiful."
Determinedly, Yuki squared his shoulders. "I'll make the exchange."
There was a brief moment of charged silence that fell heavily upon the room as the other Jyunnishi cast astonished glances in his direction at his strained voiced offer. Yuki, jaw clenched and features tensed with dark anxiety, never looked at them from where he stood amongst them, keeping his gaze trained on Akito's back as he awaited a response.
It wasn't long in coming.
"You?" Akito's tone was devoid of inflection. "You really will?"
"Hai," Yuki responded stoically. "I will."
"Even though you went to such effort to leave here, you're willing to return?"
"Hai."
"No matter what will happen to you when you come back?"
"Hai."
"Even if it won't be pleasant?"
Yuki flinched. "That doesn't matter."
"Even if it means that you'll never see her again?"
"Even so."
"I see. So truly are offering up your life for hers in exchange then."
Though it wasn't a question, Yuki nevertheless responded. "Hai."
"Amazing. The quiet little mouse is being so brave. Will wonders never cease? Dear, dear Yuki. You want so badly to be Tohru-san's white knight, don't you? Willing to sacrifice yourself and do the very thing you least want to do - is she really that important to you?"
"Never mind that." His body ached with tension. "I've agreed to the exchange. Now, will you let Honda-san go?"
"I don't think so."
"Akito." Outrage drew his voice tight. "You said-"
"Don't preach to me about what I said!"
His voice was a furious roar that blasted over them and nearly shook the walls of the room with its force, freezing into fearful stillness the occupants within as he whirled angrily around, sending the material draping him flaring out and flapping violently, and stared at them with dark burning eyes and a rage twisted visage that revealed that the demon had come out to play and was fully visible to any who dared to cast their alarmed gaze upon him. Black fury rolled off of him in near-tangible waves that poured through the confines and crashed over its onlookers, submerging them in Akito's wrath as his slender frame trembled with the strength of the terrible dark rage that held him in its grips and filled the room with his overwhelming presence as his voice cracked like a harsh whip in the uneasy stillness.
"Who do you think you are compared to me?"
Dark eyes glittered with rage as they swept over the others who shuddered uncontrollably when that black gaze touched upon them.
"You are not the head of this family! None of you are! You don't get to say what happens! You think you can come here and pressure me into doing what you want, manipulate me? Me? The god?"
Harsh, grating laughter rang out, causing listeners to flinch.
"You fools! How dare you insult me like this - coming here to see me, to give yourself up to me, just because of her? This is how you repay me after all I've done for you worthless lot? You think I'd let you get away this kind of treatment?" His eyes flashed wildly. "That's right. Punishment is in order, ne? The bad ones have to be taught a lesson, after all. That way, you'll learn not to be bad anymore, ne?"
Several of the figures gathered visibly stiffened. Still, despite the fear that clutched him in its terrible grips, a determined Yuki stepped forward.
"You can punish me if you want." Yuki worked to keep his voice steady. "But coming here was my idea so leave Honda-san and the others out of this."
"Iie," Kagura spoke up urgently. "It was my idea to have this meeting arranged. You can't take the credit for that!"
"Kagura, stay out of this!"
"I can't do that! Not when you're trying to take the blame for all of us."
"That's right, that's right," Momiji piped up. "It isn't right. We came here of our own wills."
Yuki shook his head despairingly. "But-"
"Yuki." Hatsuharu's tone was expressionless. "I'm sure Honda-san wouldn't like you going at it alone either."
"Maybe not, but even so-"
"SILENCE!"
Akito's booming voice shook the room with his rage as he glared at them all while they shied away from meeting his ferocious gaze that swam with the blackness of a dark fury that had been stoked higher as he had listened to their irritating self-sacrificing words. His mood was vicious as he took in the sight of the deathly silent group before him and, despite the pain building in his head due to their infuriating antics, he was able to manage a smile.
It wasn't pleasant.
"I've decided on your punishment." His voice was tight with barely restrained fury. "Since I'm so nice, even when you're behaving so badly, it's really a very simple and lenient punishment. You should be thankful."
Wariness filled the faces turned towards him.
"From this day forward," Akito proclaimed, "none of you are allowed to seek out Honda Tohru ever again."
Stunned silence fell.
"That's all." Akito waved a hand in dismissal. "You may go now."
Overcoming shock at the announcement, various outraged cries took over the silence. The noisy clamor that Akito wanted nothing more at the moment than to be done with wore on his already frayed control of his temper, exacerbating his headache until he just couldn't take it anymore.
"Enough!" he yelled over the din. "I said to leave so leave! Don't disobey me!"
"But-" Yuki began.
"Get out now! All of you!"
When they still hesitated, a furiously trembling Akito snapped and, with one quick motion, he snatched up Tohru's vacated kneeling cushion lying by his feet and flung it viciously into the flock of scared and surprised Jyunnishi before him, sending them scattering in automatic avoidance of the airborne object while his raging roar thundered through the confines of the room.
"Get out! Get out! Get out! GET OUT!"
```````````````````````````````````````````
The abject stillness that lay within the enclosed room wasn't enough to prevent the disruptive sounds that came from without. The banging of a door, the slapping of multiple feet as they scrambled hastily away from danger and to safety, the enraged cries from an angry lord of the house - all of it filtered in through the thin walls that confined her as she sat huddled on the floor, arms clasping drawn up knees as she stared with pained sadness at the closed door that concealed the others from her view as they escaped down the narrow hallway and out of the building, away from her.
It was for the best.
She tried to tell herself that, tried to believe it, tried to convince herself that the pain of having to turn her back on them would eventually fade and that, one day, they would understand. She hoped the time would come soon when things were better than what they were now and tried to keep that flickering flame of faith burning within her heart as the sounds of her departing friends faded away, leaving her in the silence that fell afterwards only to be broken by her low aching whisper that lingered in the air with heartfelt words that were unheard by all ears but her own.
"Forgive me."
[dumdeedum] - I haven't forgotten about Uo and Hana but, keep in mind, in the timeframe of this story, not even two days have gone by yet so there's no reason yet for her friends to come around looking for her. Funny you should mention that though because I was going to bring that particular topic up in the next chapter. You're getting ahead of me. (^^)
To everyone else - Yes, I realize this takes some dark and depressing turns but I can't write fluffy fics all the time. And this is fun in its own way. Well, to me anyway because it's just so fun to write. In any case, thanks for bearing with me through this. I swear it'll all come to a head soon since I estimate maybe another 5 chapters for this and then it'll be done. The only problem comes from finding the time to write them.
Mini-glossary of Japanese words/phrases used in this chapter and roughly translated English equivalent:
iie - no
ne - hey / right
maa - 'well' or 'now, now, now' when strung together several times
ara - oh, my
hai - yes
```````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````` ```````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````` ````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````
CHAPTER 10: Sacrificing Bargains
Barely had the door slid closed behind Tohru with a quiet snick than Yuki had swung his head to look at Akito with a furious glare in his eye that was matched by the anger that throbbed in his voice, capturing the attention of everyone else left in the room as they turned to stare with varying degrees of pained dread, surprise, and horror at the tableau occurring in their midst.
"Akito, what did you do to her?" Yuki asked harshly.
"Why, nothing."
Akito merely appeared coolly amused in the face of the stares directed at him, many of them accusatory, as he casually drew up the material slipping off his shoulder as if he hadn't a care in the world. It was a lazy action that might have resulted in a languid atmosphere settling upon the gathering if it hadn't been for the hand suddenly slapping on the floorboards, a harsh sharp and angry cracking sound that reverberated in the room.
"Don't try to deny it," Yuki snapped, eyes flashing furiously. "Honda-san wouldn't just leave us like that of her own volition."
"Oh? And how could you know that with such certainty? Do you presume to know every single thing that goes on in another person's mind?"
"Iie."
Akito arched a brow, smirking.
"But," continued Yuki determinedly, "I do know Honda-san. Better than you do. And I know that she's not acting like herself."
Irritation flared within Akito at Yuki's words though he hid it well as he kept his tone light and uncaring, goading. "Perhaps you don't know her as well as you think then, ne? Or maybe she's turned over a new leaf."
"Not that leaf." Yuki stared at him accusingly. "Not without help."
"And you think I have something to do with it?" Akito asked in mock surprise. "Why, whatever makes you think that?"
"Stop playing around!"
"You think I'm playing?"
Yuki glared. "No matter what Honda-san said, you can't possibly think that we'd believe she'd say what she just did of her own accord."
"That really wasn't like Tohru," Momiji added seriously, shooting Akito a reproachful glance. "She didn't even smile at us once."
"A-and I'm sure Onee-chan would have been happy to see us," Kisa stammered softly, nervously. "Not like she was just now."
Casting his gaze around, Akito saw that the majority of the faces turned towards appeared to be of the same mind as they looked at him with accusatory eyes - that he was the one at fault. It was amusing in a way since he, in his ultimate wisdom and foresight, had expected it. However, it was still infuriating since he detested how they felt they had the freedom to voice their opinions of his fault in this situation out loud, even Kisa who was the weakest of the group. It was amazing how they almost seemed to be gathering their pitiful forces against him; the backbone they were all suddenly displaying was highly annoying - and not to be tolerated.
It was time to remind them who was in charge.
"Watch your mouths when you speak to me."
Rage, barely leashed, infused his biting voice with fire and ice, a lethal combination that gave everyone who heard it pause as Akito seemed to loom dangerously larger in a room that suddenly felt much too small to hold them all, making them feel like the trapped animals of their Jyunnishi counterparts. Akito's dark gaze, glittering with building fury, swept over their kneeling forms as he towered over them and brutally reminded him of the hierarchy of their lives where they were placed in the lower rungs.
"Don't forget just who it is that you're addressing so disrespectfully, you ungrateful lot," Akito spat lividly. "After everything I've done for you, you just keep on asking for more like the selfish misbegotten animals you are. I look after you and care for you when even your parents turn away from you in disgust and what kind of gratitude do you give me in return?" His expression twisted. "You disregard my generous spirit! I let you have this little meeting that you interrupted my day to request when I didn't have to and which you certainly don't deserve with the deplorable way you behave towards me. Now, is that anyway for you to act?"
No one made a sound.
"Honda Tohru." His tone was suddenly calm, placid. "What is it about her?"
Worry appeared on the faces of his audience at his sudden switch in tone and topic. When he said nothing more and seemed to lapse into silence, it was Yuki who ventured to breech it while the others looked on.
"What do you mean?" he asked cautiously.
Akito gave him a look, as if surprised he even had to ask. "Maa, of course I'm talking about how she manages to get everyone to act as they do." His eyes narrowed. "Just like you're all acting now - speaking up against me. What do you make of that?"
Everyone remained silent, refusing to respond and risk further wrath.
"It's strange really." He spoke almost absently, as if none of it mattered at all. "I'm treating her so kindly even though she's such a poor little commoner and shouldn't even be having any relations with the Souma family at all, much less knowing about the curse when she shouldn't have anything to do with it. Amazing how I let her keep her memories, ne? Of course, I could always change that."
The silence thickened, lengthened, tensed.
Akito smiled. "But since I'm such a nice person and no one seems to want me to do that, I'm considerate enough to let her keep her memories."
There was a fractional relaxing of tension in the room.
"But, isn't it odd how, despite my consideration, it seems that everyone still sees me as the villain?"
Silence.
"Maa, I suppose it doesn't really matter. Probably just my imagination, ne?"
No response.
Akito shrugged. "Still, it would be nice to receive some words of appreciation every once in a while for being so benevolent towards you all. And, of course, for showing my kindness to Tohru-san as well, since you all seem to be so fond of her. After all, I'm generous enough to allow her to live here in luxury like I'm sure she's never even dreamed of doing in that common mind of hers. I give her beautiful and expensive clothes to wear that she'd never be able to afford in years with that measly job of hers. I'm even giving her recompense for the time that she's away from her employment," he smirked, "however long that may be."
Several figures stiffened, but remained grimly silent.
"That's right," Akito continued smoothly. "I don't see how you can possibly worry about leaving her here when she has me to look out for her. I'm not a monster, after all." He gave a small chuckle. "I see to it that she has everything she needs, just as a proper host should. She has servants waiting on her instead of being the one to do the waiting. Excellent cooks prepare her meals, and she doesn't even have to worry about such pesky things as mundane chores. She has it much easier now than where she was; it's no wonder why she prefers to stay here."
That was going too far.
"You say that like it was her choice," Yuki said angrily.
"Oh, you don't think it was?"
Yuki's answer was in his glare.
"Ara, how can you be like that? To think that I have my hand in this?" Akito looked hurt. "Did you see me anywhere near her when she told all of you that she wanted to stay here?"
"Iie, but there's more than one way to force someone to say something." Yuki's expression was telling. "I know that better than anyone."
Akito's eyes narrowed. "You don't seem very happy with that piece of knowledge."
"I doubt that anyone would be."
A tense quiet fell as Akito and Yuki locked in silent battle as they exchanged hard glares, neither one willing to back down. To the onlookers, the situation presented a painful and nerve-wracking sight as unspoken messages seemed to flow between them in a cryptic means of communication that they couldn't fathom as tormentor and former tormentee faced off as memories past pains and events practically shimmered in the air around them.
But, in the end, it was Yuki who dropped his gaze first from Akito's swirling dark eyes.
Pleased with the outcome, Akito smiled. "I'm sure you exaggerate, Yuki. I don't think it was that bad."
Yuki didn't say anything at all.
"It's been a long time, after all," Akito went on, "since you left here to go and live at Shigure's. The memories of living here, so near to me, surely must have faded away or become distorted." He gave Yuki a sympathetic glance. "You probably don't remember it correctly after all the that's time passed since then."
Though Yuki's lips tightened into an angry line, he said nothing.
"That's alright," Akito said good-naturedly. "I'm feeling very generous today so I'll excuse your temerity and chalk it up to being overexcited at seeing your dear Tohru-san once more. It will, after all, as per her request, be quite a while no doubt before you get to see her again."
"I don't like that," Momiji murmured.
Though his voice was pitched low, nearly inaudible to the ears, Akito still heard him and diverted his attention from Yuki to swing terrifyingly burning eyes in Momiji's direction as the shift rocketed the palpable tension in the room, causing the others to go deathly still in reaction.
"Does the little rabbit have something to say?" Akito's hissed words snaked through the room. "If so, then why don't you speak up so everyone can hear you clearly?"
Momiji tilted his chin higher. "I said, 'I don't like it.'"
"What a shame." His lips curled though the hard glint in his eyes never wavered. "We all know how much I care about what you think, little rabbit."
"I don't happen to like it either," Kagura spoke up, expression set.
Akito's gaze switched to her. "What a surprise."
"I don't either," Kisa's voice, on the verge of quivering, said softly as she looked up with wide, fearful eyes that shone with hints of her own brave staunchness of opinion.
Akito merely aimed a dark look at the bristling little tiger that seemed to be unsheathing the beginnings of her growing tiny claws. He also gave his narrow regard to the others around him who had yet to speak, taking in Hiro and Hatsuharu's silent faces that nevertheless managed to express their own brand of dislike. Even the stoic doctor who had yet to say a word since he'd entered bore an expression of barely concealed disapproval. Shigure, on the other hand, maintained a bland mask, that of a waiting watcher carefully observing the action from the sidelines. Though Akito gave Shigure's inscrutable features a hard glare, he ignored the dog for the moment in favor of the others who outnumbered him in bodies with their current tangible dislike.
"Liking, not liking - in the end, what does it matter?" His tone was a harsh whiplash that sliced through the air. "What can you do about it? Tohru-san chose herself to stay. No matter what feeble ideas you have about it, it was by her own will that she said what she did. It's what she wants." He smirked at Yuki. "Are you really that selfish to deny her what she told you she wants? Are you that eager to tear her away from here where she doesn't have to lift a finger to drag her back to labor for you in drudgery?"
"Stop it," Yuki snapped. "You're just twisting things around again."
"Am I really?" He gazed at Yuki with hooded eyes. "Let's take a moment to tally things up, shall we?" He tilted his head. "She cooks and cleans for you, looks after you like you can't look after yourselves, doesn't she? Be reasonable - don't you think that's a trial for her, a burden sometimes? And not only that, but you use her to make yourself feel normal, fooling yourself about what you really are. It's your fault she's been pulled further into our world instead of remaining an outsider like she's supposed to be. You may prefer to give it a wholesome sounding name like 'friendship,' but can such a self-centered thing really be labeled that? Honestly," his cool glance roamed over the gathering, "you should all be ashamed of yourselves for how you've used her. And now, after I've provided her with all the time to relax and creature comforts she could desire, you selfishly want her to go back to where she performs menial labor and fawns over you so that you can feel better about yourselves?" His eyes glittered viciously. "Maa, I suppose that's all you can expect of animals."
His harsh words were like a slap in the face and some of the faces reflected the hit such as Kisa whose features crumpled into teary eyes and doubt. For a brief moment, uncertainty crossed even Yuki's expression before it hardened into set determination.
"Enough of this." His words were sharp, precise. "Just return Honda-san to us."
A dark eyebrow arched. "And if I refuse? If I decide to just keep her all to myself and never, ever let her go?"
Yuki shot to his feet until he was eye-to-eye with Akito, staring with furious eyes into his, which flickered for a moment with surprise while shocked and horrified gasps stirred the air around them. But, despite the unexpected action, Akito remained stalwart in the face of Yuki's anger and smirked infuriatingly, fanning the flames of the volatile situation of which he felt he still held the upper hand.
And he did.
"So, what? You'll stand in front of me and glare?" Akito laughed. "Yuki, you can be so silly sometimes. I'd almost forgotten." He reached out to pat his cheek, enjoying his involuntary flinch. "Really, what do you possibly think you can do?"
Yuki's hand flexed, fisted - and snagged Akito's attention.
"You want to hit me?" Dark amusement crossed his features. "How strange. I feel the same towards you sometimes. Odd, ne?"
"Akito," Yuki growled lowly. "Stop it."
"Or you'll do what? Hit me?" Akito stared challengingly. "I'd like to see you try." He tilted his chin. "Go ahead. Give it your best shot."
Yuki's arm shook with effort, but never moved from its position by his side.
"See?" Akito chuckled blackly. "You can't. I'm your god, after all. You could never possibly lift a finger to hurt me no matter how much you want to." He gave Yuki's cheek a light caress. "Do you see how powerless you are? It's the way things have always been, how they'll always be. Really, you should all just give up trying and accept thing the way they are, how they're meant to be."
"I don't believe that this is how it's meant to be," came Yuki's strained tone.
"Oh?" Akito gave him a considering look, letting his hand drop back to his side. "Perhaps you're right. Maybe things can be changed."
Barely concealed suspicion and wariness crossed many faces at Akito's agreeable mellow tone and words; easy capitulation from him often boded ill as most of them could attest to having been deceived and lulled into a false sense of security by it before at one time or another in their lives. One could never be too sure with Akito and the breezy smile he showed them was not to be trusted no matter how honest it appeared to be on the surface.
"Honda Tohru."
Those four silkily drawn out syllables had everyone stiffening, going on red alert, though Akito didn't seem to notice the unflattering stares aimed in his direction as he moved almost absently, flowing towards the front of the room until he stopped, his back facing them all. Those behind him exchanged wary glances, wondering what the head of the Souma family had in store for them this time.
"Do you want her to return so badly?" Only casual curiosity seemed to be heard in Akito's voice. "Really and truly?"
The younger Jyunnishi looked towards the older for guidance on how to answer but Hatori's tired face offered no help, only weariness, while Shigure merely arched his brows as if wondering why on earth they were seeking a silly dog's advice.
Clearly, they were on their own.
"Hai," Yuki spoke up for them all, tone cautious. "We do."
"And that would make you happy?"
After a brief moment's pause, Yuki answered warily, "Hai."
"Maa, then I guess there's just no helping it." Shoulders heaved in a forlorn sounding sigh. "I'm always thinking about your happiness, after all. And if it makes you happy, then she's free to go back to Shigure's if she wants."
"Really?" he asked in surprise.
He wasn't the only one as many of the others held the same shocked expression.
"Hai, of course," replied Akito. "There's no real reason for her to be here; she's not family, after all."
A mingled sense of heightened relief filled the room, lightening the dark gloomy pall that hung over it and those who resided within.
But Akito wasn't done yet.
"However," he continued smoothly, "there is just one little thing. There are few things in life that come without a price, ne? Don't you agree?"
Yuki's mouth tightened grimly as he regarded Akito's back. "What do you want?"
"Nothing too terrible; merely something of equal worth. An exchange, if you will."
"What sort of an exchange?"
"A companion," Akito said languidly. "After all, if Tohru-san returns with you, then I'll be left without someone to keep me company. And that would be very, very bad."
"There's Kureno," came Hatsuharu's bland voice. "What's wrong with him?"
"He's too boring. And I've had him so long, being with him has gotten stale; no fun at all anymore." A hand waved in dismissal. "I need someone new, someone different."
Yuki swallowed hard, a cold sweat breaking across his back. "Who do you have in mind?"
"Yuki."
He shuddered.
Akito let out a laugh, never once having turned around. "Do you think I'll ask for you, little mouse? Do you believe that you're so important that no one else will come to mind?" He spoke carelessly, lightly. "Anyone will do, really. But an exchange must be made. Fair is fair, after all - a companion for a companion. Now, who among will be willing to sacrifice his life to me, give it up for me to do with as I see fit, even unto death?" He chuckled in dark amusement. "Or something like that."
Not one word was spoken.
"Oh, come now. Not one of you is willing to trade places with your beloved Honda Tohru?" Akito sneered. "How pitiful."
Determinedly, Yuki squared his shoulders. "I'll make the exchange."
There was a brief moment of charged silence that fell heavily upon the room as the other Jyunnishi cast astonished glances in his direction at his strained voiced offer. Yuki, jaw clenched and features tensed with dark anxiety, never looked at them from where he stood amongst them, keeping his gaze trained on Akito's back as he awaited a response.
It wasn't long in coming.
"You?" Akito's tone was devoid of inflection. "You really will?"
"Hai," Yuki responded stoically. "I will."
"Even though you went to such effort to leave here, you're willing to return?"
"Hai."
"No matter what will happen to you when you come back?"
"Hai."
"Even if it won't be pleasant?"
Yuki flinched. "That doesn't matter."
"Even if it means that you'll never see her again?"
"Even so."
"I see. So truly are offering up your life for hers in exchange then."
Though it wasn't a question, Yuki nevertheless responded. "Hai."
"Amazing. The quiet little mouse is being so brave. Will wonders never cease? Dear, dear Yuki. You want so badly to be Tohru-san's white knight, don't you? Willing to sacrifice yourself and do the very thing you least want to do - is she really that important to you?"
"Never mind that." His body ached with tension. "I've agreed to the exchange. Now, will you let Honda-san go?"
"I don't think so."
"Akito." Outrage drew his voice tight. "You said-"
"Don't preach to me about what I said!"
His voice was a furious roar that blasted over them and nearly shook the walls of the room with its force, freezing into fearful stillness the occupants within as he whirled angrily around, sending the material draping him flaring out and flapping violently, and stared at them with dark burning eyes and a rage twisted visage that revealed that the demon had come out to play and was fully visible to any who dared to cast their alarmed gaze upon him. Black fury rolled off of him in near-tangible waves that poured through the confines and crashed over its onlookers, submerging them in Akito's wrath as his slender frame trembled with the strength of the terrible dark rage that held him in its grips and filled the room with his overwhelming presence as his voice cracked like a harsh whip in the uneasy stillness.
"Who do you think you are compared to me?"
Dark eyes glittered with rage as they swept over the others who shuddered uncontrollably when that black gaze touched upon them.
"You are not the head of this family! None of you are! You don't get to say what happens! You think you can come here and pressure me into doing what you want, manipulate me? Me? The god?"
Harsh, grating laughter rang out, causing listeners to flinch.
"You fools! How dare you insult me like this - coming here to see me, to give yourself up to me, just because of her? This is how you repay me after all I've done for you worthless lot? You think I'd let you get away this kind of treatment?" His eyes flashed wildly. "That's right. Punishment is in order, ne? The bad ones have to be taught a lesson, after all. That way, you'll learn not to be bad anymore, ne?"
Several of the figures gathered visibly stiffened. Still, despite the fear that clutched him in its terrible grips, a determined Yuki stepped forward.
"You can punish me if you want." Yuki worked to keep his voice steady. "But coming here was my idea so leave Honda-san and the others out of this."
"Iie," Kagura spoke up urgently. "It was my idea to have this meeting arranged. You can't take the credit for that!"
"Kagura, stay out of this!"
"I can't do that! Not when you're trying to take the blame for all of us."
"That's right, that's right," Momiji piped up. "It isn't right. We came here of our own wills."
Yuki shook his head despairingly. "But-"
"Yuki." Hatsuharu's tone was expressionless. "I'm sure Honda-san wouldn't like you going at it alone either."
"Maybe not, but even so-"
"SILENCE!"
Akito's booming voice shook the room with his rage as he glared at them all while they shied away from meeting his ferocious gaze that swam with the blackness of a dark fury that had been stoked higher as he had listened to their irritating self-sacrificing words. His mood was vicious as he took in the sight of the deathly silent group before him and, despite the pain building in his head due to their infuriating antics, he was able to manage a smile.
It wasn't pleasant.
"I've decided on your punishment." His voice was tight with barely restrained fury. "Since I'm so nice, even when you're behaving so badly, it's really a very simple and lenient punishment. You should be thankful."
Wariness filled the faces turned towards him.
"From this day forward," Akito proclaimed, "none of you are allowed to seek out Honda Tohru ever again."
Stunned silence fell.
"That's all." Akito waved a hand in dismissal. "You may go now."
Overcoming shock at the announcement, various outraged cries took over the silence. The noisy clamor that Akito wanted nothing more at the moment than to be done with wore on his already frayed control of his temper, exacerbating his headache until he just couldn't take it anymore.
"Enough!" he yelled over the din. "I said to leave so leave! Don't disobey me!"
"But-" Yuki began.
"Get out now! All of you!"
When they still hesitated, a furiously trembling Akito snapped and, with one quick motion, he snatched up Tohru's vacated kneeling cushion lying by his feet and flung it viciously into the flock of scared and surprised Jyunnishi before him, sending them scattering in automatic avoidance of the airborne object while his raging roar thundered through the confines of the room.
"Get out! Get out! Get out! GET OUT!"
```````````````````````````````````````````
The abject stillness that lay within the enclosed room wasn't enough to prevent the disruptive sounds that came from without. The banging of a door, the slapping of multiple feet as they scrambled hastily away from danger and to safety, the enraged cries from an angry lord of the house - all of it filtered in through the thin walls that confined her as she sat huddled on the floor, arms clasping drawn up knees as she stared with pained sadness at the closed door that concealed the others from her view as they escaped down the narrow hallway and out of the building, away from her.
It was for the best.
She tried to tell herself that, tried to believe it, tried to convince herself that the pain of having to turn her back on them would eventually fade and that, one day, they would understand. She hoped the time would come soon when things were better than what they were now and tried to keep that flickering flame of faith burning within her heart as the sounds of her departing friends faded away, leaving her in the silence that fell afterwards only to be broken by her low aching whisper that lingered in the air with heartfelt words that were unheard by all ears but her own.
"Forgive me."