Disclaimer: I do not own Fruits Basket or any of it's characters.

Warnings: Shounen-ai/Yaoi implications (or perhaps blatant), dark/angst, language, and possible gore.

Pairings: Read and find out

Summary: He's their best friend and, yet, he's their worst enemy. He hides behind his joker's mask and pretends he cares, but he doesn't. What does he want and can they stop him before he destroys them all?

Harakiri: I am so not happy with chapter two…

Skye: Well, you're the writer, not me.

Harakiri: STFU.

Skye: o.O()! Shutting up…

Harakiri: Anyways, I hope curiosity compels you to continue reading. Who was it that got them? You'll find out this chapter! Still a bit Tohru-centric, but also starring…well, I'll give you a hint: His name starts with the letter "A". Hope that helps. Enjoy chapter 3!!!

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Eternity is Forever Chapter 3-The Maiden's Fate

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"Hmm…..?" A pair of blue eyes slowly opened. "Ah…" 'Where am I?' Slowly, carefully, Tohru sat up from her laying position on the tatami. 'Tatami?' Her eyes widened as the events from the previous night began to unfold in her mind and she was filled with worry and fear. "Uo-chan? Hana-chan?" She looked around. Where were her friends?

"I'm assuming those are your friends." With a startled gasp she turned to the door. Standing there was a man with gold eyes and dark brown hair with his bangs covering one side of his face. He was dressed somewhat formally and had on a white coat.

"Who-who are you?" He said nothing and walked over to her. She tried to move away, but was grabbed and held in place. She began to tremble as his face got close to her neck.

"You needn't worry. I've already fed. I'm just checking to make sure the marks are healing." Instead of relief she was filled with more dread, but this time for her friends. Sensing the change in her, the man sighed and moved back. "Your friends are unharmed and sleeping in the next room."

"Wh-what are you going to do with us…?"

'That's a good question,' he thought. Really, there was nothing to do until Akito was informed of their presence and then he would decide what to do with them. Unfortunately, that decision would have to wait until the sun had set. Rainy day or no, Akito was not to be disturbed until night had descended. "….Nothing."

Tohru blinked, having been unprepared for an answer. 'Nothing? Then…' "Why keep us here?" As unprepared as she was for an answer, he was even more unprepared for her response. He stared at her in mild surprise. Was she really naïve enough to think that they would just let them go? They knew of the family's secrets and promises of silence could never be trusted.

"No matter what promises you make, you'll be tempted to break them. Because of those temptations, alone, we cannot let you leave. Everyone has secrets that must be kept…us most especially." He watched as she stared at him with wide, innocent eyes. 'Why would she even come here in the first place…? She seems skittish, like a small rabbit who would run and hide at the first loud noise…' Suddenly, she was on her knees and bowing in front of him.

"Please. I'll let you drink my blood, anything, if you promise you'll let my friends go." His eyes widened and he stared at her in shock. Did she even know what she was saying? She was giving him permission to do whatever he would like to her, all in exchange for her friends' freedom. And she was doing it while in the belief that he would keep to his word.

'How can she be so selfless…?' He didn't know what to say. What could he say?

"Anything, you say?" Tohru instantly sat up as she heard the knew voice and the man stood and faced the door. Standing there was another man, with short black hair and eyes the same color, perhaps a shade or two darker. He wore nothing but a simple gray yukata and a smile. Both the girl and the man watched as he made his way into the room then knelt in front of her. "You're saying that, if we were to set your friends free, you would do anything for us, give us anything?" His smile disappeared as she nodded. "Do they really mean that much to you?"

"Yes! They have done so much for me that I could never repay them and this is the best I can do for them…" She lowered her eyes sadly, as if the knowledge that she could be giving her life for her friends was bad and only for the reason that she felt it was not enough to repay them for whatever kindness they had shown her. After hearing her answer, the smile returned and he stood.

"Hatori, would you be so kind as to go check on our other guests? It seems as if you'll have to erase their memories. Ah, and call Haru, would you? He can drop them off at their school." Gold eyes narrowed as the other man spoke.

"Shigure." The other man stopped rambling and turned to his friend. "You know we can't do anything without Akito's orders."

"Oh, Ha-san, you worry too much. Besides…" Shigure's smile turned enigmatic, "I can handle Akito." Suddenly, his smile returned to normal. "As a matter of fact, I'll escort our young guest to his chambers once night falls." Hatori was at a loss. Akito was the head of the family and, being so, his word was law, but, somehow, Shigure had this way of getting Akito to agree to just about anything.

With a sigh, Hatori left the room to attend to girls sleeping in the nest room. 'I sincerely hope that he can convince Akito to do whatever it is he has in mind…otherwise things could get very messy.'

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White, black…gray. A kaleidoscope of colors, swirling, whirling. The laughter of children, the beating of a lover's heart…red. He saw a great many things in his dreams. He heard many things as well. Many, many things he could see and hear, but…were they real. He would never know, not for sure. One could only believe in stories for so long before, like a child with his fairy tales, they were no longer real in the mind.

Dark eyes slowly opened to be greeted by the sight of the sun's fading rays washing over the walls and ceiling. He was in no danger, tho. He laid on the floor, as he always did, thus he was safe from the beautiful, burning light. After a few, agonizingly slow, moments, the last bit of light left and the room fell into complete darkness.

Darkness…he closed his eyes. He hated the dark. Darkness was his domain. It was in darkness that he would come and torment the frail boy who could do nothing. Nothing but lie there and wait for him to leave. 'It's almost time…' How he wished he could run away and hide. 'I don't want to dream…not tonight…' Suddenly, there was a light knocking at his door.

"Enter…" came the quiet tenor. There was a small scraping sound, indicating that the door had been opened, and the there was the sound of footsteps. 'No…just go away…'

"Akito-sama…" At the sound of the voice the boy became aware that he was in no danger. At least for the time being. Slowly he sat up, despite the protesting of his underused muscles. On their knees, in front of him, were two people. One he recognized but the other…

"Shigure…who is that?" The one in question lowered her head, refusing to meet his gaze. 'At least she knows who I am…' He turned his gaze to the man. "Well…?"

"Forgive me, Akito-sama." Delayed answer, just like normal. These conversations were not new to the boy. In fact, they seemed to be choreographed, like a dance. A waltz of words. He waited patiently for the other to continue. "This young girl, and two of her friends, were found wandering around the house last night." His eyes narrowed. This was not good. "Yuki had been following them and 'apprehended' them when they entered his room."

"And why have you brought her here?" One, two, three; step, step, turn. Keep the rhythm, don't lose count. "You know the rules." Ah, right on cue. The smile…

"Yes, Akito-sama, but she made an offer I don't think we should refuse." And here is where his footing is lost and he tumbles to the ground.

"…What kind of offer?"

"…Anything. Whatever she has, we can take." A snort.

"And what does she have that we would want?" Honey sweet words dripped from a silver tongue.

"Perhaps she could help us with the consequences of an ancient mistake…" There, it was said.

"…….Really? What makes you think that? She does not seem special."

"That is why she can help."

Tohru was lost. 'Consequences of an ancient mistake'? Whatever it was, the boy, Akito, did not seem to think she could help. 'Could it really be that bad?' she wondered. Even so, if they wanted her to help she would. After all, she did promise anything.

"…Fine, she can stay. But she will not be freeloading." And that was it. Tohru looked up at Shigure to find him still smiling, but something seemed different. She blinked and shook her head a bit, but it was gone.

'That's odd,' she thought as they both stood and exited the room. 'I could have sworn his eyes were blue a second ago…'

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Wow…I'm actually kind of happy with this one. X3 Oh, and for those of you who say Akito is OOC…there is a method to my madness. Be patient. And just who is 'he'? Hm…a mystery. It could be anyone…or it could be no one. Mental health records haven't been good for Akito's family for the past century or two. () So, what did you guys think? Leave a review and let me know.

Skye: And stayed tuned for more of the family! Bunny, cow, and rat sightings have been reported and is that the cat I see? Read the next chapter to find out! -looks at Harakiri and holds out his hand- I said the stupid speech, now gimme my payment.

-hands Skye a bag of Tootsie pops- He's addicted, I'm afraid. Anyways, you heard him. Ta! (Oh and many, MANY thanks to my wonderful reviewers! Especially Ash. X3 This fic shall be dedicated to you since it was you who inspired it. -nod-)