(Part Two:)

Akito once more took up his cup and sipped some tea. Tohru waited patiently for him to finish. He took one more sip and placed his cup back down. He looked up at Tohru and smiled once more.

"I suppose it's been on your mind" he began, "Why I was so insistent on seeing you."

"Well, yes of course" she nodded, "I was a little curious."

"I imagine so" he smiled, "Like I said before, I spoke with Kyo's father."

"I remember" she nodded, "What did he say?"

"He's considering the matter. So now you know, I kept my end of the bargain" he looked at her straight in the eye, "Just like you kept yours" he smiled quite menacingly.

Tohru's eyes became wide as she sat there, her heart pounding in her chest.

(Next Scene)

Yuki meanwhile walked into Akito's bedroom and sat on his bed catching his breath.

"Geez" he thought as he gasped for air, "I had no idea Akito changed his room. I'd better hurry" he stood up looking onto the bed, "Where's that dumb blanket" he rummaged around the covers, "Where is it? It's not here" he grumbled and placed his hands on his hips angrily, "Hold on Yuki reality check. There is no way that Akito sent you in here for a blanket that's there on purpose. He wanted me out of the room. So where would he put that blanket? Hmm" he began to think and then a smile lit his face, "I know. In the closet."

Sure enough when Yuki opened the closet door, he spotted the blanket on the top shelf. He reached up to grab it and then dashed to the door.

"Pretty sneaky Akito" he thought to himself, "I hope I'm not too late."

(Next Scene)

Akito was tapping the table with his long fingers, drumming them as Tohru waited for him to say more. When he didn't, she decided to speak.

"Again it was very nice of you to invite me to tea this afternoon" she replied, "I really do feel honored" she bowed her head.

"It's now or never" Akito thought, "If I want to find out the answer, this is it" he paused and then looked up at her straight in the eye, "Miss Honda. I was wondering if you could tell me something?"

"Sure" she nodded, "What is it?"

"Tell me, are you still in love with the monster?"

"Um yes, but if you don't mind, would you not call him that."

"Hmm?"

"It makes me uncomfortable to hear him called that."

"All right. Kyo then. So you still love him."

"Yes very much."

"I wonder how he feels about you."

"Huh?"

"Do you think he feels the same way? Or has he told you how he feels?"

"Oh no" she thought, "I was afraid of this. He's asking me the one question I can't answer."

"Well? What do you think?"

"Well to be honest Akito I think if you really want to know, then maybe you should ask Kyo."

"What?" Akito said in a somewhat angry and surprised voice.

"It's Kyo's feelings right, so he would be the perfect person to ask, wouldn't he?"

"Not again" Akito thought, "I'm not going to lose this time" he smiled and then turned to her once more, "You think you're very smart don't you?"

"What do you mean?"

"Do you think I'm that stupid!" his voice rose as he smashed the teacup, onto the floor.

Tohru backed away.

"I don't like it when people keep secrets from me" he hissed, "In fact it really irratates me. So much to the point where I begin destroying things" he smacked his hand into the rest of the articles on the table knocking them to the floor as well.

"I didn't mean to make you angry" Tohru quivered, "It was just a suggestion.

"Well I didn't like the suggestion" he calmed down and sat back in his seat while Tohru caught her breath.

"Akito" she said slowly, "Can I ask you a question?"

"Hmm?"

"It's something that has been bothering me, so I hope that you'll answer it?"

"Depends on what the question is?"

"Why did you? Why did you ask me such a thing? You could have asked me anything? But why did you ask me for a."

"A kiss?"

She cringed.

"Oh I get it" he stood up making her back away even more, "Kissing me isn't good enough for you is that it?"

"No" she shook her head scared to death, "No that's not it" she stood up and backed into the wall, "I just wanted to know."

"Why?"

"I don't know" she lowered her eyes.

"I think you do. But personally I think you much rather kiss the monster, wouldn't you?"

Tohru's eyes became wide.

"I know you would. I know that he would too. You're not fooling anyone! Not either of you! I know what's going on! You're both just not admitting it! And like I said I don't like it when people keep things from me!"

"I'm sorry" Tohru said slowly, "I understand how you feel, and I'm glad that you feel comfortable telling me that. Akito I want you to know, that I'm not trying to lie to you. I would never do that. Because I care about you, just like all the Sohmas. You're just as important to me."

He looked at her surprised. And then he banged his fist on the wall next to her.

"Don't try to change the subject! I don't like it when you talk to me like that! I don't like talking about my feelings, so stop it."

At that moment Yuki opened the door and so the whole scene. He saw all the dishes on the floor and stare wide-eyed at Tohru who was backed against the wall by Akito.

"You want to see my true feelings!" he shouted, "Then take a look at this!" he raised his palm ready to strike but Yuki dashed forward and grabbed his arm.

"No! Akito stop it!" he pulled him back, "Please stop this!"

"Yuki! Let go!" Akito hissed again, "This girl has to be taught a lesson. She has no family. No one to care about her except for my family. Someone has to teach her discipline."

"No Akito" Yuki stepped in front of him holding onto his shoulders, "Please I beg of you not to do this."

"Perhaps you would like to get her punishment instead!" he shouted slapping Yuki hard, knocking him to the ground right in front of Tohru.

Tohru gasped as Yuki coughed as he lay on the ground.

"That is the last time you will defy me Yuki Sohma, or you will get much worse."

Yuki cringed in pain holding onto his cheek as Tohru reached out for him.

"Do you see what you have done now?" Akito looked at her, "You're nothing but trouble."

"Akito" Hatori called from the doorway.

"Hatori?" Tohru said in surprise.

"I believe that is enough for one day. You're very pale. I'm going to take you to your room."

"Don't interfere Hatori" Akito seethed as Yuki rose a little from the ground still holding onto his bruised cheek.

"This is doctor's orders Akito. Kureno come take him."

"Yes sir" Kureno nodded walking over and taking Akito gently by the shoulder.

"All right I'll go" Akito said his hair falling over his face, "But this isn't over" he looked directly into Tohru's eyes, "Not by a long shot."

Kureno escorted him out of the room and Shigure came in.

"Shigure?" Tohru looked at him in surprise.

"I thought you two would need a little support today" Shigure smiled, "I'm gonna help with Hatori, Tohru take care of Yuki."

"Okay" she nodded, but as they all departed she placed her face into her hands and began to sob, "I'm so sorry. I'm so sorry Yuki. You got hurt because of me."

"What this?" Yuki pointed to the bruise, "This is nothing Miss Honda. Besides" he grinned as she looked up with her tearstained eyes, "If he had hit you, Kyo would kill me" he chuckled.

"I'm still sorry."

"I know. But it's better this way."

"Is it really?"

"I'm sorry for leaving you alone. It's really my fault. I suppose this is my punishment."

"Huh?"

"Don't worry Miss Honda. It's just a bruise. It will heal."

Oh Yuki" she sank into his chest and embraced him as she cried some more, "Thank you."

"What are big brothers for?" he replied holding onto her tight.

(Next Scene)

Shigure and Hatori walked back to Hatori's house just after her had given Akito a sedative and he had fallen asleep. As Hatori removed his coat, Shigure pulled a cigarette out of the pack that was on the table and lit it. Hatori walked over and sat down as well, in his chair, taking a cigarette from Shigure in the process. He lit it and blew out some smoke.

"Well you were right" Hatori said, "He was all worked up."

"Too worked up if you ask me" Shigure replied, "I knew something like this was going to happen. That's why I called you. He's becoming far too violent."

"How do you mean?"

"He's out of control Hatori. Can't you tell? I know this isn't the first time he has tried to strike Tohru, and I doubt it will be the lost."

"That's true. I mean it is one thing to strike at us, but it's something completely different to go after her like this. I mean she is an outsider. Someone that is not involved in any of this."

"I wonder if that is really the case?" Shigure smiled as he blew out some smoke.

"What do you mean by that Shigure?"

"Look Hari, I believe that it was no coincidence that Tohru came into our lives. It is no coincidence that we no longer transform around her. Something is there, I just know it. And I intend to find out just what that is."

"Shigure" Hatori replied as Shigure stood up and walked over to the door, "Don't tell me that you're planning on using Tohru Honda to find out about the curse?"

Shigure said nothing. Just leaned against the wall smiling and sucking on his cigarette.

"Shigure it was a dream" Hatori replied a bit angry, "Are you going to do everything you can, no matter who it hurts to find out if that dream is a reality? It's dangerous to do that" he walked over to the door, "You know it is. And I dare say I highly doubt that you want to put Miss Honda in that kind of danger. I need to go get some paperwork. We'll talk later. But think about what I said."

"I will" Shigure nodded as Hatori departed.

He walked over to the ashtray and put out his cigarette. Then he walked to the front door.

"Oh Hari maybe you can forget the dream" he shook his head as he thought, "But I can't."

(Till Next Time)

Authors Note: Hey guys! There's part two for ya! One more chapter to go and then Book Nine will be complete!

Next Chapter: First Date

Not telling!!!