No matter how strange Akito's orders were, it was best to yield to them. Much like Yuki, Shigure feared Akito. He had his fair share of beatings from that same whip. Shigure cringed for a moment before he faced the others and me.

Yuki had changed back and gotten his clothes back on. He wasn't feeling as bad as before, he was standing up straight and smiling at Shigure. He held Tohru's left hand, and I held her right one.

"Well, now that all of our 'Akito Meetings' are over, we should walk around a bit. Maybe visit around with the relatives?" Shigure suggested, still recovering from his strange conversation.

I nodded, what else was there to do? Yuki didn't seem too eager, but Tohru was just downright excited. She was so easily entertained. We began to walk idly when no sooner I saw two girls wave toward Shigure and Yuki.

Yuki's eyes widened, "Oh no, that can't be…no, please don't be…" Yuki prayed.

It was. Two girls ran over, the first was tall, she was about my height. The girl had chestnut-brown hair with white highlights. Yes, white highlights. She had a small, button nose, large brown eyes, and a big, pretty smile. She looked about twenty-four or twenty-five years old.

The second girl was much shorter; she was maybe seven or eight. She had long, black hair that was up in a loose bun. Her face was pale and pointed. She definitely resembled Akito.

Shigure's face lit up as soon as he saw the two girls.

"Yumiko! Makino! Never thought I'd see you again until New Years!" Shigure said giving the girl with brown hair and white highlights a huge, bear hug.

She returned his hug and laughed as he swung her around. The little girl (Makino) tugged on Yuki's pants and smile up at him. Yuki returned the smile and picked her up.

"Cousin Yuki, I missed you! Yumiko missed you too!" she said quietly.

"Oh joy," he replied, not sounding to enthusiastic.

Yumiko then pushed herself out of Shigure's grasp. She spotted me and immediately jumped on me. She ruffled my hair and tickled my sides.

"Been a while, right Kyo?!" she laughed as she continued to give me a hard time.

I kept trying to push her away, "Hey! Hey! Quit it! Damn it! You haven't changed at all Yumiko Soma!" I yelled angrily.

She gave her trademark, 'roaring laugh' and then moved over to Yuki.

"I missed you too!" She said giving him a hug and lifting him off of the ground.

"That's nice," Yuki said in a lifeless voice.

"So what are you doing out of the house?" Shigure asked her excitedly.

She pushed Yuki aside and bolted over to him as soon as she heard his voice.

"Me and Makino were about to go visit Akito, he called for me and so I figured I better visit him. Well, I was called, Makino just wanted to come. I don't know if he wants to see her or not," she explained, her smile slowly dropping until she said the last bit.

Shigure looked up sympathetically at Makino, as if he understood. Well, I sure as Hell didn't. Tohru simply stood there in shock. This was a little much for her.

Yumiko just noticed her and then her face resumed to smiling. How can anyone smile that much? My face would hurt after a while. She took Makino from Yuki's arms and set her down in front of Tohru. She grabbed Tohru's hands and shook them vigorously.

"You must be the infamous Tohru! Hotori talks non-stop about you! I'm sure Shigure would too, but I never get to talk to him so never mind that. I was so rude not to introduce myself. My name is Yumiko Soma, and in front of me is Makino Soma. We live together, and no she's not my sister, but that's not the point. You've met Yuki's brother, Ayame, right? Of course you have! Who hasn't? Anyway, he's Makino's and my roommate. Ayame's so nice! He's great! I love him! Don't you? But I can tell he's just waiting for me to move out. So when Akito passes away I was thinking that Makino and I could live with Shigure and you guys. We're not allowed to leave yet, not until Akito dies. It would give Ayame some space, you know?" She said this in one breath, it amazed Tohru how much one person could talk so much and so fast.

Tohru took a few breaths and waited until she could fully comprehend what Yumiko was saying.

"So, you're…-" Tohru began but Yumiko interrupted her.

"A member of the Zodiac? Yeah! Makino and me are both members of the Zodiac; we're the last two that you'll meet, considering you've met everyone else. That's why I can hug Shigure without him transforming. I bet you were wondering that, huh? You met Momiji right? Yeah, he…-" she began, then it was my turn to interrupt the talking machine.

"Wait, whoa! Why are you moving in with us?! Who said you could?! There's no room for anymore people!" I said angrily.

Shigure took Yumiko in his arms, "Ah, you're so full of spirit. They can move in, besides, I want them to." He said smiling innocently.

"No! I don't want her to move in1" I said stubbornly.

Yumiko's lip quivered, she was just like Shigure, loved to poke fun and fake people out.

"You don't want us to move in? Don't you love us Kyo?" she said sadly.

"I don't care about her," I began pointing at Makino, "Because she knows how to shut up. You however…"

"Where would you sleep anyway?" Yuki pointed out.

"Makino could sleep in Tohru's room and Yumiko could sleep with me…I mean…in my bed…I mean…in my room," Shigure said with devilish grin.

Yumiko raised her eyebrows twice, "Ooh, Shigure, you read my mind."

"Would you two quit it?!" I yelled in frustration.

Shigure and Yumiko laughed together. Theirs laughs harmonized so beautifully. I had no idea why this struck me; they just looked and sounded so perfect together. They were practically the perfect match. Shigure could keep her under control when she needed to be and she could teach Shigure to have fun in ways he never would have thought of. Shigure could read people so well and Yumiko couldn't. Yumiko could have fun and make friends anywhere she went, Shigure couldn't. And, believe it or not, Yumiko had much more responsibility than Shigure did. She had practically raised Makino, or so I've heard. Shigure could never do that by himself.

Yumiko laughed a bit more and then brushed a strand of white hair behind her ear to reveal three piercings up her ear. She straightened out her green tank top and put on a serious face.

"Well, we best get to see Akito, we'll see you sometime soon," she said nodding to each of us.

Makino bowed and turned the opposite direction towards Akito's house. At that moment Tohru came to her senses and grasped Yumiko's shoulder quickly to stop her from walking away. Yumiko was a bit taken-aback from her sudden movement. She jerked her head back towards Tohru and held an arm out to stop Makino from walking.

"Well, I, I just met you. You don't have to be leaving so soon, do you? I'm sorry I didn't say very much. I hope I didn't give you the wrong idea. I really do want to get to know you. You seem like such a fun person. Why don't you stay at Shigure's house tonight until you can bring your things over to his house? And you and Makino can stay in my room if you like. I don't mind sharing a room at all!" she said cheerfully.

Yumiko smiled at her and laughed.

"I didn't know I was loved this much. Makino has always been loved, she so lovable! But if it's okay with Shigure, I'd love stay over tonight," she said picking up Makino and giving her a big hug.

Tohru looked over hopefully at Shigure, he nodded happily. Yuki and I were definitely not as ecstatic as Tohru and Shigure were.

"It's not too much trouble is it?" Makino asked timidly.

Tohru shook her head and looked at Makino. She squealed.

"You are so adorable!" she said running her fingers through Makino's black hair.

Makino blushed, "Th-thank you,' she stuttered.

"Well, I'm gonna go to see Akito, wait out here for me and I'll bring you back to my house for a bit, then we can go to Shigure's. Sound like a plan?" Yumiko asked each of us.

Everyone except Yuki and I nodded enthusiastically. We just mumbled incoherently.

"Good, now wait here, I'll be right back." She said setting Makino down by Yuki.

She then went into Akito's house, closing the sliding door behind her.

"Cousin Yuki, Akito takes a great liking in Yumiko. Could you tell me why that is? Why does he not like me?" Makino asked tugging on Yuki's pant leg.

I felt bad for the girl. She had apparently endured some of Akito's torture as well. But for some reason, he had always liked Yumiko. Yuki didn't answer. I was tired of people just ignoring the girl. I picked her up and stared straight into her dark eyes.

"Akito doesn't really like anyone, probably not even Yumiko. He's just weird like that. It's not you're problem, kid, it's his." I explained roughly.

She just stared at me. It wasn't until now I had realized how pale and gaunt she was. Her frame was so thin, her hands were white, and always were as cold as ice. Her dark, almost black eyes were cold and empty. Her hands were so small and shaky. She looked so sickly. She has always worn kimonos, or anything else that covers her arms and legs, but my guess was that she was even thinner in her limbs.

After minutes of silence she spoke, her voice was as sharp as a knife "I want to see him."

Everyone stared at her in shock.

"Makino, that's not a very good idea…" Yuki said, his voice smothered with worry.

She wriggled her way out of my arms and walked up to Akito's door.

"I'm going to see him. I have to. I'm a part of his family too," she said stubbornly.

There was no stopping her. She slid the door aside. Akito was lying on the floor. Yumiko was kneeling over him and speaking softly. She turned her head as soon as she saw the door open. Her eyes widened. She gave a begging look to Makino, telling her to go back outside. Makino ignored her and walked slowly over to Akito. He gave Makino an icy glare as she slowly approached him. She sat on her knees next to him and touched her head to the floor several times to show respect. Yumiko slowly backed out until she was at the door. All she could do was watch.

I soon noticed that there were tears trickling down Makino's cheeks. She was crying for him. She truly loved him. The flow of tears increased as she looked into his face, but no sound escaped her lips. To my surprise a single tear fell from Akito's eyes. He took a shaking hand and ran it affectionately through her hair. Makino then flung out her arms and put him into a tender embrace, he was about to hug her back when she transformed.

A beautiful, black, hen had her wings around his neck. Akito's face then turned back to a glare. This glare turned to anger, this anger turned into a vicious rage. He stood up quickly, sending the hen across the room to hit the wall. She then transformed back. She sat up, her back to the wall and her knees drawn to her bare, naked chest.

Strands of hair had fallen from her loose bun. Akito then calmly walked over to the trembling girl. She sat there, in a feeble position, without clothes, shaking with pain, tears falling down her face.

He grabbed her by the hair and lifted her up to his height. Her bun then came out to show a long sheet of black hair that reached to her mid-thighs.

"You took her from me, it was your fault. It was YOUR FAULT!" he began in a deadly hiss and then progressed to a deafening yell.

He threw her across the room with great force. She once again hit the wall. She slid to the floor, blood coming slowly out of her mouth. She then crawled over to Akito and hugged his leg; she couldn't stand up. She closed her eyes as more silent tears erupted from her eyes.

Akito kicked her away.

"Do you think that coming here and bowing before me in your shame and nakedness will make me forgive you? NO! NEVER! IT IS AND WILL ALWAYS BE YOUR FAULT! YOU HORRIBLE WRETCH!" he raged at her, kicking her over and over.

Even though he beat her, called her horrible curses, she still clung to him.

"I know it is my fault…I'm…I'm sorry. You have to right to be angry, but I still love you. I don't want you to die…I…don't want you to die!" she began to sob.

"You….you…YOU DISGUSTING CREATURE! WHEN I DIE IT MEANS THAT I WON'T EVER HAVE YOU AS A BURDEN ANYMORE! YOU VILE, FILTHY, DISGUSTING…!" Akito began, but never finished.

"STOP!" Yumiko cried, flinging her arms around Makino's limp body, "Stop Akito. She is not your burden; leave her alone. Please, no more. I can't take it."

Akito stared madly at Yumiko and Makino. He then turned away and then he laid back on the floor. His body turned away from us.

I was appalled. I knew Akito was brutal, but to be so ruthless to a child? That was just insane.

Yumiko grabbed Makino's kimono and put it on her small, pale, body. I could see her ribs stick out; she was thin. We then left the house in silence.

Yumiko's eyes were averted forward and the look on her face was livid. I wasn't brave enough to say anything. Yuki held Makino's rumpled body in his arms. He had the same look as Yumiko. Tohru looked absolutely horrified, tears were welled up in her eyes. It pained me to see her like that. It made me feel helpless, because when Tohru cries no one can help her; she has to help herself. It kills me to watch her in pain and not be able to help her, to comfort her, to hold her.

I noticed Shigure was holding Yumiko's hand and rubbing her wrist with his thumb. I looked at Tohru; I then slid my hand in hers and rubbed her wrist with my thumb. She gave me a weak smile. Whoa… it worked…cool.

We then reached a tall, brown pagoda with a blue roof. It had three floors. It was an amazingly large house for only three people. Why would Yumiko want to leave the massive home?

Yumiko dug in her pocket and then her hand emerged, it was grasping a small silver key. She put the key in the lock, opened the door, and let us in. As soon as I entered the house, the sweet aroma of roses and carnations caressed my nostrils. Everyone else seemed to notice as well, they were sniffing the air and raising their eyebrows with approval.

We had entered a small lounge. In the center of the room there was a glass coffee table with a vase of roses sitting neatly in the middle. The carpet was an off-white color. There was a loveseat on the east wall, which was beige and made out of leather. On the west wall there was an armchair of the same color. Various pictures hung in the room. One was of Shigure and Yumiko; they looked as though they were at the prom. It did confuse me a little. Yumiko was four years younger than him, so it was probably his prom, and he was desperate enough to take another Soma. Another picture was of Yumiko and Makino. It was winter; Yumiko was pointing at the sky, explaining to Makino what snow was. The third picture had Hotori, Ayame, and Shigure in their High school days.

Come to think of it, how distantly related were Shigure and Yumiko? I've never seen, nor heard of, Yumiko's parents. I mean, the Zodiac are all very distant family. Except for Ayame and Yuki, considering they're brothers. And I'm pretty sure that Momiji is my second cousin or something.

"Just make yourselves comfortable, I'll go tell Aya that you're here. He better be decent, sometimes he walks around the house butt-naked. Trust me, it's not pretty," she muttered to herself.

I shuddered, that would bring bad mental images and some definite nightmares. She headed up the stairs, which were in the next room. The room next to us was inevitably the dining room. Tohru sat on the love seat; I quickly sat down next to her. Ha! Take that Yuki! Yuki sat down in the armchair with Makino in his lap. Shigure just leaned against the doorframe. Makino brought her head up from Yuki's chest.

"May I be excused? I would like to pack for Shigure's house now. It will take me a while, I'd much rather do it today than tomorrow," she asked quietly.

"Of course Maki (that was her nickname)" Shigure replied sweetly.

As soon as I figured that Makino was out of earshot, questions spewed from my mouth.

"Okay Shigure, what the hell was Akito yelling at her about? Who is 'she'? What was Makino's fault?" I asked hungrily.

Shigure sighed; the entire room had their eyes on him. He couldn't help but soak up the attention.

"Well, I figured that questions like this would come up. You might want to ask Yumiko about this, she knows the story much better than I do." He said sadly.

I leaned back on the love seat in a huff. What was going on? At that moment Yumiko's head poked around the corner.

"Sorry guys, Aya's taking a nap so this isn't going to be as much fun," she said half-joking.

At that point, I didn't care if I was being inconsiderate or not. I asked her the same questions as I asked Shigure. She looked at me, her expression wide-eyed. She stared at me for a few seconds before joining Shigure at the doorframe.

"Well, it's kind of, confusing. Well, no, but, it's…it's just…I don't know! It's hard to explain the story to someone who hasn't felt the same pain as Makino. Because then you wouldn't feel as sympathetic, you wouldn't get as much out of it as others would," she said shaking her head.

I stared at her, hungry for answers, "I don't care, just tell me."

She sighed as her and Shigure exchanged glances.

"It starts about nine years ago. Not many people know this, but Akito was married. And surprisingly it wasn't to a Soma. It was a woman by the name of Miyuki Asagira. He had met her when he was in high school. They were very much alike.

"Affectionate, tender, gentle. She was just as thin, if not thinner than him. But she didn't know about the curse.

"Miyuki and I had taken an immediate liking in eachother. When there was someone that I needed to talk to, I talked to Miyuki, she took me shopping, she listened to me, and she cared for me. I never knew my mother. She was my mother practically. And Akito decided, if she loved me as much as a mother did, he would love me as much as a father would.

"That's why Akito favors me, I suppose; A memory of Miyuki. They got married immediately after High School. And then maybe a year after they got married Miyuki got pregnant. Akito was ecstatic. He had no worries about the curse; nothing of the burden ever crossed his mind. He knew he was going to die young, but he didn't care. He was going to have a child. A human being of his own flesh and blood, a beautiful baby that he and Miyuki had created.

"You see, before he met Miyuki, the weight of the curse was tearing him from the inside-out, he was in a heavy depression. He didn't want that depression again. It was terrible for him.

"Then, Makino came two months premature, like all of the Zodiac members do. Akito was so worried, that he didn't even think of the possibility of the child being in the Zodiac. Then, when they handed the baby to Miyuki, she transformed into the hen. She screamed, she kicked, she cried. She was so helpless, why had her first child turned into an animal?

"As soon as Akito had heard the news, he was horrified. He had to now explain the curse to unwilling ears. As Makino grew, Akito began to hate her more and more, day by day. She symbolized his burden, the burden that had him depressed and miserable for his entire life. Miyuki avoided her own child, never spoke to her, never hugged her, never touched her. She thought of Makino as a disgusting creature and was so appalled with herself, that that wretch had come out of her own body.

"Eventually Miyuki slipped into a heavy depression. She wouldn't even hug Akito anymore. At this, Akito directed his fury at Makino. He beat her, spit on her, called her vile names. But through all of her father's rages and screams she would always say 'Daddy, I still love you.' Miyuki at first wanted her memory erased, she then decided that wasn't enough. She wanted to be erased.

"Miyuki sat on the floor staring at the knife in her hand. Makino came into the room because she heard eerie laughter and sobs. Miyuki turned to her. Her hair was standing on end, eyes glazed over, and blood dripping from her mouth, there were gashes all over her arms and legs, and on in her side. Her clothes were blood-soaked. 'You did this to me,' she said in a hoarse voice. At that moment she plunged the knife through her stomach and then through her chest, and then her neck. Makino looked over in horror. She was beyond tears. Akito discovered her dead body and had beat Makino until she was screaming.

"She had nothing to eat for four days. It got to the point where Akito couldn't even look at the child without hitting her, or throwing her across the room. Makino began to tell me about this. I decided it was enough and I took Makino to live with me. Akito, surprisingly, wasn't angry. I can still picture the twisted grin on his face as I brought Makino home."

Tohru began to cry silently on my shoulder. Makino…I never dreamed that a child could go through so much pain, but yet still go on loving Akito as much as she did. Akito, who would want to marry Akito? How could people be so cruel? A mother to commit suicide in front of her own child. A father who beats his offspring, yelling and blaming her for his wife's death, when Miyuki met her own demise? How insane are these people?

"I remember when I was younger, watching Makino be beaten and scolded for idiotic reasons. Yet I did nothing about it. I'm glad you stepped in Yumi," Shigure said sadly.

Yumiko nodded, "Me too."

After a moment of silence, Makino bounded downstairs. She had a black suitcase that was practically as big as her. She had regained her bright smile and looked eagerly at us.

"Shall we go?" she asked anxiously.

Yumiko and Shigure smiled at her. For a moment I thought I saw a glint of a tear in Shigure's eyes, but maybe it was just my imagination.

Yumiko picked her up and embraced her tightly. Shigure picked up her suitcase. Yumiko looked at her with a painful smile as tears trickled down her cheeks.

"Yes, we shall," Yumiko said softly.

And with that the six of us walked out into the glorious sunlight.