Neither Fruits Basket nor the Fruits Basket characters belong to me. They are the property of Takaya-san.

Chapter 4 The Price of Freedom

The graduation banquet was history and the household staff was in the process of clearing the remains. The guests pushed in their chairs as they prepared to leave.

Akito looked at Shigure and Hatori. "Hatori, will you please take Honda-san home in your car. And Shigure as well? I wish to speak with Kyo and Yuki privately. I will send them home with my driver after a while."

"Of course, Akito. I will be happy to take Tohru-san and Shigure home. Yuki, Kyo, I will see you later."

Akito watched as Hatori ushered the girl and Shigure out to his car. He smiled slowly. Now to make sure Yuki and the stupid cat understand the price of one more year of freedom. He turned to the two boys and said, "Meet me in my quarters in ten minutes. I have suddenly become tired and desire to change out of this suit into more comfortable attire before we have our chat."

Kyo and Yuki looked at Akito warily. "Yes Akito-san, we will be there in ten minutes" After Akito left the room the boys released their pent up feelings.

"What the hell does that damn Akito want anyway?" Kyo asked angrily.

"I do not know, but be very careful of what you say, stupid cat. I find I am very concerned about Akito's plans for Honda-san."

"Damn rat, when are you going to start calling her Tohru-kun? Haven't you known her long enough to drop the Honda-san? Besides, don't you think I worry about her as well? I knew there would be a price to pay for this extra year. As long as it keeps her safe, I'll pay it." Kyo retorted.

Yuki started coolly at the redhead. "When you stop saying her and she, then I will consider calling her something other than Honda-san. At any rate, we are both agreed on this one point. Honda-san must be protected no matter what."

Kyo looked at Yuki with some surprise. The damn rat was finally developing some backbone. Looking into those purple eyes he saw a residual fear of Akito, but that fear was being overridden by a glint of determination. So Yuki would dare much to keep her safe. He understood that both he and Yuki would do whatever was necessary to keep that goofy grin on Tohru's face. Somehow, that made facing Akito a little easier.

Yuki watched Kyo's face soften and knew he was thinking about Honda-san. One of these days, they were going to have to make some decisions but for now, it was good to know they were both willing to pay whatever price to keep her safe. Whatever Akito had in mind, she would be protected.

"It's time," Yuki said softly. He knocked firmly on the door to Akito's chambers.

"Enter" Akito called. The two boys walked in and saw Akito was lying in his customary position with his back to the room and his eyes focused on the world outside of his window. He had changed into his usual kimono and was ignoring their presence. That too was not unusual.

Akito heard the rustle of clothing as the two assumed a kneeling position and awaited his notice. He smiled to himself knowing that they would remain silent until he decided to acknowledge their obedience to his command.

After five, maybe ten minutes, Akito slowly turned his gaze toward his victims.

Although he had resolved not to be afraid, Yuki found himself trembling before the malevolence in Akito's eyes. Looking at Kyo from the corner of his eyes he found the cat watching him and he immediately firmed up his intentions. Even if he were afraid of Akito he would not allow any harm to come to Honda-san through Akito's machinations. Somehow, someway he would keep her safe.

Kyo found himself paralyzed before Akito's hardened gaze. He found himself torn between the emotions of fear and revulsion Akito inspired within his heart. Part of him wanted to run the hell away from Akito and the other part of him wanted to take Akito down, piece by little piece. It was only his strong desire to protect Tohru from Akito's wrath that kept him from acting. Instead he found himself kneeling in submission to the Sohma head of family. Damn Akito anyway! Who made him god?

Akito was pleased by the fear in Yuki's purple eyes and amused by the hatred in Kyo's reddish brown eyes. He knew the rat would not go against his will because of that fear. The cat would not defy him either because he knew what the consequences of that defiance would be. After all, the cat was a selfish animal and would do all he could to escape confinement.

"Yuki, Kyo, so good of you to attend me. I know you are both wondering what comes next after this year of community college. As you well know, I do not give any gift freely. Tohru Honda-san is a stupid girl and thinks highly of me for my decision. You two, on the other hand, are suspicious and so you should be. My requirement is this. You two are to take this year of community college, prepare for, and pass the entrance exams to Tokyo University. I have granted you one more year here at home, but beyond that you will attend the university or you will pay the consequences of failing to gain entrance."

"Wh-what consequences," Yuki managed to stammer.

"Damn your consequences Akito. What in the hell are you up to?" Kyo shouted angrily.

"Stupid cat, you forget your place!" Akito snapped cold with rage. "You do realize that you will not be the one to suffer if you continue like this. I will make very sure that Honda-san is the one to suffer and you will be the witness to her suffering."

Kyo came to his senses suddenly. This was exactly what that damn rat had warned him about. "Forgive me Akito-san, I did forget my place for a moment. It won't happen again." Kyo hoped he was telling the truth. Tohru would be the one to be hurt if he forgot again.

A cruel smile marked Akito's face. "I know you will make very sure of that. As for the consequences, my dear Yuki...If you do not get into University, you will leave Shigure's house move back to Sohma house. Your old quarters are still waiting for you here. We will continue the lessons I began teaching you when you were younger. As for you, stupid cat, if you do not get into University, I will take great pleasure in locking you up for the rest of your miserable life. I only allow you your freedom because it suits my purpose at the present time."

Yuki and Kyo looked at each other. What purpose was Akito talking about? It surely did not bode well for their future.

Akito continued "Moreover, if either of you fail to gain entrance, Tohru Honda-san will have her memory erased and be returned to her grandfather's as if the last three years never happened. This will include her time with the Sohmas, her graduation, and any other significant events of the last three years. Do you want to be responsible for that? Yuki? Kyo? Oh, and of course, the two of you will remember every minute of the last three years just so you know what she's lost. One last thing... If either of you ever try to contact Honda-san again once her memories have been erased, something terrible will happen to her."

Yuki and Kyo shuddered as the cruelty of Akito's punishment sank into their minds and hearts. To never see Tohru again, to never hear her happy laughter or see her goofy grin again...it was too much to contemplate. But even worse would be her pain at realizing she lost her memories and them knowing that they were the cause. Hana and Uo could fill in some of the details, but she would only know of them as a story written once upon a time. It was too harsh a punishment, but they knew Akito would follow through on every part of it.

Akito watched with satisfaction as the horror of his threat registered in two pairs of eyes. He knew their defiance of his wishes would never again see the light of day. He dismissed the two young men and turned back to the window. He grinned triumphantly as he watched them walk dejectedly to the car he had ordered to return them to Shigure's. If only Yuki and that stupid cat could see the future he had planned. By the end of their first year at University, after suffering everything he had planned, Honda Tohru-san would be begging to have her memory erased. What exquisite pleasure he would gain from his family finally realizing that the dream of acceptance and normality, the dream of happiness, she represented was nothing but mere illusion based upon false hopes. In time he would have his family back and it would be as if "she" and her mother's memory had never existed among the Sohmas. Then and only then would his revenge be complete.

Author's Note: Well one more chapter and Part 1 will be complete. Yuki and Kyo will have to talk to Shigure and Hatori. How will the older juunishi react? Find out next time.

Please let me know what you thought of this chapter. I am always open to constructive suggestions.