"Yuki…" Akito breathed in greeting, eyes sweeping over the boy as they always did. "It's been a while. If I didn't know better, I'd almost think you avoid me."

"I don't have much free time at present." Yuki offered stiffly.

"I've had your special room prepared, Yuki. Wait there for me- Kureno will show you, in case you've forgotten where it is. It has been a while, hasn't it?" Akito's tone was deceptively pleasant. "I need to have a few words with Kyou."

Yuki lagged after the rooster as the other led him into the inner part of the Sohma estate; Akito watched him go with a small smile on his face before turning his attention back to the other boy, who was lounging against the gate.

"Still haven't managed to beat him yet, Kyou?"

"No." the cat said sullenly.

"Oh, that's a shame… but not one that nobody saw coming. Children of the Rat are special." Akito's voice was soft.

Kyou bristled, but held his tongue.

"The time when you'll be locked away… is fast approaching, isn't it?"

The cat couldn't suppress a low growl, but kept a firm hold on his temper. Losing it here simply wasn't worth it.

"I hear that Kagura is still set on marrying you."

"She's just the same as she always is." Kyou muttered.

"Mmm… that's not something you come across every day, that kind of devotion. It's certainly not… ordinary. Time's running out, Kyou. Might it not be better to accept Kagura and her love, even if you don't return it? You could have a family… for a little while, at least."

"I don't want Kagura!"

"But she wants you. Nobody quite understands why, but she loves you- she loves everything about you. Kagura wouldn't run from your original form."

The fists clenched at Kyou's sides were shaking.

"Wouldn't it be better, Kyou, to seize what chance of happiness you have before you're locked away? Your time is short as well; you should think of what part of you will last, after you're gone."

Kyou's glare should have set Akito afire; all it did was make him smile. "If, against all odds, you should succeed, you will have the freedom to do whatever you want with your life, even live a boring, ordinary life; but isn't it better to be practical, and seize what happiness you can before the chance is taken from you forever?

"I have to speak with Yuki. Please think about what I have said."

The head of the family proceeded into the estate; into the inner part, where Kyou could not and would never be able to enter.

-

As always, Yuki was disoriented when Akito pulled him out of the darkness; he flinched and closed his eyes against the light.

Akito smiled.

"Yuki. You're looking well."

"As are you." the Prince returned, keeping an iron grip on his composure.

"I wonder if it is due to Honda Tohru's influence?" Akito murmured to himself, watching Yuki's eyes hungrily before moving on. "Kyou hasn't beaten you yet."

What did Akito want him to say? "No."

"It's likely he won't succeed; the children of the Cat are doubly cursed, and children of the Rat are special."

"I find it unlikely that Kyou will improve enough to best me." Yuki replied.

"Mmm… some would let him win out of pity. Beating you and taking a place among the Sohma is not only his most cherished dream, but his only chance of escaping a lonely, miserable life."

"I hate Kyou. I would not let him win."

Akito smiled again at Yuki's care with his words. "If he ever were to succeed… things would take a turn for the worse, for Honda Tohru."

Yuki's gaze sharpened; Akito drank it in. "And why is that?"

"She witnessed an accident the other day, didn't she? I heard it was quite a blow to her; how is she?"

"Honda- san is… recovering."

"Do not let the cat beat you, Yuki." Akito warned, shoving him back into the small room without warning.

It was well into the evening before Akito let him out.

-

"Yuki- kun!" Tohru exclaimed in relief, only to back off a couple of steps at his sharp glance. "Yuki… kun?"

"I'm going to bed." the Prince said, stalking up the stairs and shoving past Kyou.

"Oi, Rat- boy!"

Yuki felled him with one blow, never breaking his stride.

Tohru stared after him worriedly, all thoughts of the accident she'd seen a few days before gone from her mind.