Chapter 3 Graduation Festivities?
As the Sohmas all filed out to their cars, Akito made a surprise announcement. "There will be a banquet at the Sohma compound in honor of our three graduates. You are all requested to attend. Kureno, Hatori, Shigure, please make sure that everyone comes. Kazuma, you are invited as well."
When Akito made a request, it was to be regarded as a royal command. He knew that all of the juunishi would put in an appearance. He had made the kitchens aware that there was to be a banquet and all should be in readiness by this time.
"Oh, Shigure, don't worry about the caterer you hired, I called and cancelled for you. I really did want to be included in the graduation festivities and since I wasn't invited toyour party, (Akito shrugged his shoulders), I decided to plan one at Sohma house."
Shigure frowned for a moment while no one was looking, then his features smoothed into his customary good natured expression. "But of course Akito-san, I understand how you would love to be a part of our graduates' special day. I do apologize for making plans without you, but as late as yesterday, you were still not feeling well and I did not want to trouble you."
Shigure found himself somewhat worried. Akito certainly has his resources. I wonder if it was Kureno again?
"Thank you for your consideration Shigure, but as you can see I am feeling quite well today." Akito turned away from Shigure and looked at the three teenagers who had just graduated.
"Yuki, Kyo, Honda-san," Akito said, "you three are to ride in my car as you are the guests of honor."
Yuki and Kyo quickly looked at each other; Tohru was already on her way to Akito's car. "Akito-san is so very kind as to provide a celebration for our graduation. Thank you very much." (Mom can you believe it, Akito came to our graduation and he actually wants us to ride with him to the compound. This is just too wonderful to believe. I am so happy.)
"Kyo, Yuki, you best hurry up or it will be just Honda-san and myself in this car." Akito stated dryly. Kyo and Yuki quickened their footsteps and climbed into Akito's limousine, one on either side of Tohru in the seat facing Akito's.
Shigure and Hatori watched the limo leave with feelings of grave concern. "What is Akito up to now?" they both wondered. "Hatori, drive quickly and keep Akito's limo in sight. I don't like this at all." said Shigure.
"Nor do I," Hatori agreed with his friend.
Akito smiled at the three teens. "My dear Yuki, how proud you must be to have graduated from High School and at the top of your class. The speech you presented was quite heartwarming. What is it you plan to do now that High School is done?"
"Akito, what are you planning?" Yuki asked suspiciously.
"My dear Yuki, I am simply inquiring as to your plans and nothing more."
"Why is it that I cannot believe that Akito?" Yuki whispered so quietly that he could almost not be heard.
"Akito-san, I believe I can tell you what Yuki is planning, and Kyo too. " Tohru rushed to fill in the gap. "Yuki and Kyo have both applied and been accepted in the Junior College just a few miles from Shigure-san's house. They are both so intelligent and passed the entrance exams with very high marks. This must make you very proud of them Akito-san"
"Is that so," Akito said slowly. "And why have you not come to me with these plans Yuki, do I no longer have a say in what you do?"
"Akito-san, that 's not it at all. Yuki is learning to make his own decisions. Mom said that learning to make our own decisions was an important part of growing up. Don't you agree with that Akito-san? Isn't wonderful that Yuki and Kyo are learning to make their own decisions?"
Yuki and Kyo almost choked on this statement. They were quite aware that making decisions without Akito's approval was not acceptable.
"Actually, Honda-san, these plans are not definite yet. This is what we would like to do, but it cannot be done if Akito does not approve." Yuki said carefully.
"How very astute of you my dear Yuki. But of course you may attend this Junior College. I think more time in Shigure's house is just what is needed. As for you Kyo..."
Tohru interrupted once again. "Akito-san are you really going to do what you told me would happen after Kyo's graduation?"
The two boys looked at Tohru in surprise.
"What are you talking about," Kyo growled.
Akito smiled maliciously at the confused look on the boys' faces. "Kyo, I told Miss Tohru that you were to be confined after you graduated from High School."
Suddenly Kyo understood the real reason she had been upset at graduation. "Akito, why did you tell her such a thing. Now she's been worrying about me since last summer, she already has enough to worry about." he said angrily. "I didn't want you to be worried, that 's why I took the entrance exams," he said as he turned to Tohru. "I knew I wouldn't be allowed to go, but I didn't want you to have to worry about that."
"Akito, I am ready to accept your decision," the young redhead said in defeat." He would have fought for his freedom but he was quite frightened at the thought of what Akito might do to her if he did attempt to defy him.
"But Kyo," Akito said, "that is what I wanted to tell you. I have decided that you will not have to be confined. You and Yuki both can go to that junior college this year."
Yuki and Kyo looked at Akito's smiling demeanor with confusion and distrust. What was the bastard planning and why would he allow Kyo this?
"Oh, Akito-san, you did reconsider. I am so happy. As you can see, Kyo is no threat to anyone. This is the best graduation present ever! I wished at New Year's that Kyo might be allowed to remain free and here you have been so kind as to allow it!"
Kyo blushed as he saw the joyous expression on Tohru's face and knew it was on his behalf. "Why did she always have to be so optimistic? A gift like this from Akito was not going to come with no strings attached. He knew that and yet...The happiness on her face was reflected on his. He would be free if only for a little while.
Akito watched her with an enigmatic expression on his face. The children had reacted just as he expected. His plan was going to be so easy to implement.
"Yes, I did reconsider Honda-san. I am pleased to have made you so happy. Kyo, Yuki, have you no words for me?" He demanded.
"Thanks," Kyo said quickly and did his best to keep his suspicions from his voice.
Yuki followed shortly, "Akito, I don't know what you are up to, but thank you for allowing Junior College." Yuki had not missed the emphasis Akito had put on this year and neither had Kyo. They were very afraid of what Akito might have in store for them after this year.
"Of course Yuki, you know I only want what is best for you," Akito replied with just a trace of sarcasm in his voice.
The cars had finally arrived at the Sohma compound and the juunishi, Tohru and Kazuma all entered the banquet room for the meal Akito had ordered for all involved.
"Honda-san, I would be very pleased if you would sit here beside me during the celebration." Akito made the request with a smile, but the smile didn't quite reach his eyes. His eyes told a very different story. Kazuma read those eyes with concern. Akito still hated Tohru-san. Why was he behaving in such a manner?
"Shigure, Hatori, I don't like this situation at all." Kazuma said in a very soft voice. Akito has something planned and it is not in Tohru-san's best interest."
"Now, now Kazuma, aren't you being way too suspicious?" Shigure said with his most jovial smile. "I think Akito is really beginning to warm up to Tohru-kun. What could he possibly dislike about our flower?"
"Shigure, have you lost your mind?" Hatori asked gruffly. "Am I giving you more credit than is due?"
"Hatori, shame on you for being so suspicious of our dear Akito. Everything is going to be just fine."
Akito heard Shigure's comments and smiled briefly. Did the dog think he was being clever? He knew Shigure trusted him no more than did the dear doctor and Kazuma.
Hatori and Kazuma gave Shigure disgusted looks and sat down at the table. Shigure sat down and immediately began to converse with Ayame on his other side.
Shigure really wished he could believe the words he had spoken to Kazuma and Hatori, but he didn't. Akito was planning something, but until he knew what, he would be on Akito's side. It was a game the two of them had played for years now. Whatever he had planned for Tohru-kun was going to be hard, but if the curse was ever to be broken, it was going to have to be allowed. He did hope Hatori and Kazuma did not upset Akito unnecessarily. If they did, things would be that much harder for their sweet, precious Tohru-kun.
Kazuma sat at the table pretending to eat and watching the girl seated to Akito's right hand. She was talking animatedly to Akito on her left and Yuki on her right. She was so like Kyoko in so many ways, but did she really have the toughness to survive in the world of the Sohmas. Kyoko had been physically and mentally tough. She had grown up on the streets and made a name for herself. She understood the world and that it was not always a beautiful place so why had she taught her daughter so differently? From her mom, Tohru had learned to listen well to people and their troubles. Her friendly, outgoing manner was very similar to Kyoko's. She also had amazing insight into people. She knew how to gain their trust and how to keep their secrets. She also had an aptitude, as had her mother, for saying the things people needed to hear just when they needed to hear them most. Kyoko taught Tohru to always believe in others, to always look for their good qualities, and to always trust people even when they did mean or cruel things. Kyoko had not been like that. She had been wary of trusting too easily and always suspicious of ulterior motivations. Had she changed that much, or had she believed that by teaching Tohru to look at people in a manner opposite from her own, that Tohru would be that much stronger a person and that much more able to help those with troubled minds? Had Kyoko somehow known that Tohru would meet people someday that would need her bright optimistic outlook on life? Tohru was a strong person who had been through much happiness and much sorrow. Perhaps it was possible she was strong enough to survive anything that life might throw at her.
Akito listened to the girl' happy chatter with disgust! Why had he invited her to sit next to him? Was it really necessary? How could anyone view life in such a positive manner? It would be such a pleasure to teach her the reality of life, of how dark and painful it could be. He was reviled by her manner and yet...every once in a while he found himself wishing he could see life through her eyes, but then again he had been born to bear the curse, to live in pain, and to die young. He had no chance of happiness in his life, so why should anyone else?
Author's Notes: Okay that's it for this week. I am looking forward to your comments. If you have suggestions for improvement, I am more than willing to do some rewriting. After all I do want Shigure to be proud of my efforts (smile).I hope you have enjoyed this installment. Please review. Thanks.
Next week Yuki and Kyo find out what strings are attached to their year of "freedom"
