(Chapter Nine: Tea Visit)

Yuki entered the house and took off his shoes. Tohru came out of the kitchen with a concerned look on her face.

"Well did you deliver the letter?" she asked.

"Yea" Yuki nodded, "You have nothing to worry about Miss Honda. I'm sure Akito will be more than happy to know that I am coming too."

"Thank you so much Yuki" Tohru smiled.

"Don't mention it" he smiled back, "I'm gonna go do some homework now."

"Okay" she nodded as he walked upstairs.

(Next Scene)

Meanwhile back at Sohma house Akito was rereading the letter over for a third time that afternoon. It said:

Dear Akito,

It has come to my attention that you have asked Miss Honda to tea this weekend. With that being the case I hope you don't mind me accompanying her to see you as well. It has been awhile since I have been to the main house and it's also been some time since I last saw you. I hope this is not an inconvenience. Miss Honda and I will see you Saturday just as soon as you send your reply.

Yuki

Akito smiled as he walked over to a small desk and pulled out a piece of stationary. He wrote a quick note, placed it into an envelope and put on the address. Then he got up and walked over to a smaller table and put the letter on it, certain that Kureno would pick it up and mail it for him.

"I'm no fool" he replied to himself, "I know why he's coming here. But it doesn't matter. It would be good to see him again. And after all there are ways dealing with him, if it comes down to it."

(Next Scene)

The letter arrived the next afternoon and Yuki was the first to open it. He perused it one time and then nodded his head to Tohru indicating that everything was all right. Yuki walked upstairs and to his room to change. As he put on his shirt he glanced at the letter that was sitting on his desk and frowned slightly. He walked over and picked it up.

"I have no doubt that Akito knows why I am coming," he said to himself, "Still I have to do this. Not just for Miss Honda's benefit, but mine as well."

(Next Scene)

The next morning Tohru got ready to go to the main house. She stared at her mother's picture before walking over to the door. She opened it slowly, sighed and walked out into the hallway. Kyo was leaning against the wall, waiting for her.

"Kyo."

"You be careful okay" he replied a bit short, "I don't want to" he started to say.

"I'll be fine" she said reassuringly, "Yuki will be with me today."

"I know" Kyo nodded, "Just be careful just the same."

She nodded as Yuki came out of his room.

"Ready to go Miss Honda?" he asked.

"Mhm" she nodded again going downstairs.

Yuki started to follow her but Kyo coming towards him grabbed his arm. Yuki stared at him as he glared at him with both of his eyes.

"You look after her do you hear me" he replied.

"I know Kyo" Yuki nodded, "Now let go of my arm."

"Because if anything happens to her" Kyo continued without letting go, "I'll kill you."

Yuki removed his arm from his grasp with one swoop.

"I understand" he said angrily, "Miss Honda will be perfectly safe."

"She'd better be" Kyo replied stalking into his room.

Yuki sighed and then walked downstairs, joining Tohru at the front door to say goodbye to Shigure.

"Well we're off" Yuki said.

"You two be careful" Shigure frowned slightly, recalling them telling him all about the visit the night before.

"We'll be fine Shigure" Yuki replied.

"Bye" Tohru waved as they departed.

Shigure continued to frown as the door closed. Then he walked over to the phone and quickly dialed a number.

"Hari" Shigure said as the person on the other line answered, "It's Shigure. We need to talk. I'll be at the main house very soon."

(Next Scene)

Yuki and Tohru walked slowly to the main gate and stopped. Tohru stared up at the Sohma nameplate and sighed. Yuki reached over and took her hand gently, squeezing it tight.

"It's going to be okay Miss Honda" he replied.

"I know" she smiled, "I'm glad that you're here."

"So am I" he nodded, "We'd better get going. Akito doesn't like to wait."

"I know," she agreed following him inside.

They walked to the main house, several of the Sohma servants staring as they passed. They walked inside and were greeted by Kureno.

"Kureno? This is a rare occasion to see you at the main door" Yuki replied.

"I know" he nodded, "But Akito wanted to make sure you got here in time."

"In time for what? We're not late."

"Who knows with Akito" Kureno turned around and started to walk, "Let's go."

Tohru and Yuki looked at one another and then followed him down the hall. He led them to a very fancy looking sitting room that was already prepared for their afternoon of tea. Tohru and Yuki walked into the room while Kureno took their coats.

"If you'll be seated. Akito will be with you in a moment" Kureno said walking to the door.

"Thank you" Yuki replied sitting down as Tohru did.

Tohru looked around the room as well as the table.

"This is a very nice room," she said.

"Yea. Something I'm used to though" Yuki replied.

"I suppose you used to have tea here all the time huh?"

"Yes. It's Akito's favorite spot, besides his room. At least it used to be."

"And it still is" Akito spoke up from the door, "I'm surprised that you remembered that Yuki."

"Akito?" Yuki said as he walked over and sat down.

"I'm so glad that you both could come today" Akito smiled, "And that you finally answered my letter."

"Oh uh yes" Tohru nodded, "Thank you for inviting us."

"I have to say though Yuki, I was quite surprised."

"What for?" Yuki looked at him quizzically.

"That you decided to come today with Miss Honda. It's very unlikely for you to offer such a thing."

"Oh well, I thought that you'd want to see me."

"Indeed" Akito nodded, "Well shall we have our tea?"

"Uh yes" Tohru replied, "Let me pour" she took the teapot gently and began to pour, while Akito and Yuki watched her.

"You're very delicate Miss Honda" Akito said, "My maids aren't that careful with the tea."

"Oh" she blushed, "Well I have lots of practice."

"Miss Honda is very good at Shigure's too," Yuki agreed with a smile.

"Is she now? Well I'll have to invite her more often" he picked up his tea and began to drink it.

Yuki eyed him as he sipped his tea.

"What is he up to?" he thought.

"Well" Akito put his teacup down, "Oh my" he wrapped his arms around his body.

"What's the matter Akito?" Tohru asked.

"It's a little chilly in here. I'm afraid my kimono isn't helping very much."

"Oh. Is there a window open in here?" Tohru said.

"No" Akito shook his head; "It just gets pretty drafty in here. Yuki remembers."

"Yea" Yuki nodded uncertainly, "It does."

"I simply must have something to warm myself up. Yuki would you mind running to my room and fetching the blanket off my bed?"

"Uh" Yuki froze for a second, "You want me to do it? Usually you want Kureno to do that stuff for you."

"But I have Kureno doing errands on the other side of the main house. It will only take a few minutes."

"But I" Yuki started looking at Tohru who was quite surprised by the suggestion as well, "I don't know if I."

"Yuki" Tohru replied, "I'm sorry to interrupt. But Akito is cold right now. It won't hurt to get his blanket for him."

"But Miss Honda?" Yuki looked at her confused.

"It's all right" she smiled at him, "I'll just keep him company till you get back."

Yuki looked at her a little more, and then nodded his head that he understood. He stood up and walked out the door.

"Take your time Yuki" Akito replied as he closed it shut.

Tohru took a deep breath and turned back to Akito.

"He wants to talk to me alone" she thought, "Getting rid of Yuki is the only way he could do that. It is the only way to find out what he wants. Still I hope Yuki returns soon" Akito turned and looked at her with a huge grin on his face, "I don't know how long I can handle him on my own."

(Next Scene)

As Yuki ran down the hall a thought entered his mind.

"I hope you know what you're doing Miss Honda. Because if something bad happens to you, Kyo will kill me."

(To Be Continued...)

Authors Note: Hey guys! There is two parts to this chapter and then one more chapter to go till the end of Book Nine! But don't worry; Book Ten will start on Thursday!

Next Chapter: Part Two

Now that Tohru is alone with Akito will he reveal to her what he wants? How will she handle it?