1Author's Note: Yes, yes, it's been forever since my last update, and since then, my old computer died and I have a new one. Go me! Seeing as it's almost summer, I should be getting more chappys up sooner (when not baby-sitting) Oh! If you guy's have any questions or comments, or even requests, go ahead and e-mail me at I hope you enjoy this chapter!

My Cherryblossom.../Sherinda-san

God of Poison/Chapter 7

Main House; Akito's Room

With the robe hanging loosely on his shoulders, Akito peered out of the window. Birds chirped and sang, swooping between the trees outside. She would come to him. She had to. She hadn't asked to comeback; or told. She would have to pay the price of disobedience. The God clutched a pair of shears in the sleeve of his kimono.

She would pay...

Shigure's House

Shiko slammed down the trunk of the car. Her's, Haru's, Ayame's, and Kagura's things were stuffed in there for to ride home. Haru opened the car door for her and she climbed in and sat by Kagura as Haru got in and slammed the door shut. Ayame was in the passenger's seat, grinning to himself and Hatori was starting the car.

Shiko leaned back in her seat and sighed. Kagura turned to her as they pulled out of the driveway.

"So Shiko, what was so secret last night?" she asked. Shiko caught Hatori's eye in the rearview mirror. He nodded.

"Well," Shiko began, "I'm possessed by the Horse. But, this charm- it makes it so it doesn't affect me." Kagura stared at the jade token.

"Wow...that's really pretty. I wish I had one like that." she said, half dazed. Shiko smiled.

"My grandfather made it for me. He was a shaman-of-sorts. He died about five years ago from heart problems. That's when I went to America."

"Well, why didn't you live with you're parents? Where were they?" Ayame quipped.

"That's the thing: I don't know. Hatori told me they left me at my grandfather's house when I was about five or six. Mom said I was ruining her life with Dad because she was always watching me, in case I transformed. My father never found out about me, because Mom always lied about how I was really frail from being pre-mature. He believed her..."

"So you're mother rejected you? That is so sad!" Kagura said sadly, hugging Shiko. Shiko smiled and patted Kagura's arm.

"Well, if it weren't for Grandpa Sohma, I wouldn't be here. Hatori helped me out, too." she said, looking fondly at the dragon.

Ayame laughed aloud. "Ho! Tori-san! I knew you weren't always like cold stone! You're really a big lovable–"

"You don't want to finish that sentence..."Hatori said darkly. Ayame stopped talking and looked out the window.

By the time they got to the Sohma estate, Shiko had explained about why she had come back to Japan. Ayame and Kagura gave her enough hugs for a life-time, while Hatori and Hatsuharu stood and watched blankly. Kagura and Haru went on their own ways to their houses, and Ayame gave Shiko one last hug.

"Now you remember: If you need anything- anything at all- you let me know. I own a shop downtown. Come in anytime you want. Ayame-ojichan will be happy to do anything for you!" He grasped her hand and brought it up to his lips, kissing it tenderly. Shiko stood immobilized by shock, blushing.

"We can't keep Akito waiting for long, Ayame; let Shiko-chan go." Hatori said. Ayame winked at Shiko. As he turned to leave, he tossed her a card for his shop.

Shiko snapped out of her stupor and grabbed her things from the trunk so Hatori could shut it. They strode off toward the Main House to the meeting.

A maid took Shiko's belongings to her room when she got in the house. Hatori continued down the hall. The horse noticed it was getting gradually darker as they continued walking. They stopped at the end of the hall; a traditional sliding door with bamboo painted on it stood before them.

"Wait here," Hatori said, as he slide the door open. Shiko wondered if Akito's temper had improved any since she last saw him. What could he want? Her thoughts were interrupted as Hatori came out of the room.

"Akito says to go in."he said. Shiko looked at him. Before she walked in, she swear she could have seen a tear in his eye...

On the floor of the room, sprawled out by the porch, lay the robed figure of the man she had no choice but to obey: Akito

Shiko walked in further and kneeled, facing the wall opposite of the door she had entered with. There was a soft scratching sound as Akito ran his fingernail down the wooden flooring. With out turning his dark head, he spoke.

"My dear Uma. You have returned to me without notice...or being summoned. I don't know if you think you are higher than you're Kami, but you should have waited for me to tell you to come back." His pale legs slid along each other as he slowly got up. "You may give me an explanation..." This false security thing was always his game...make the other person feel safe...like a slinky cobra. Shiko swallowed hard and tried not to yell at him as he stood in front of her, facing the wall.

"I have returned to escape the Americans. One has crossed me, forcing me to commit a wrong. I do not understand why I was not told I was cursed." she said calmly.

Akito strode over to her and caressed her cheek. His voice dripped with poisonous care. "Dear Shiko-chan, you've committed no wrong in you're defense. You were kept from me. That is why you were not told. You're grandfather told Hatori to erase you're memory of the curse after you got that necklace." He lifted the jade horse from the skin of her chest. It shone in the light that filtered through the porch. With a soft snap, Akito ripped the necklace from her neck and threw it violently at the opposite wall. There was a crack and the sound of scattering fragments of glass; in this case, jade.

"You were not to just live with out suffering! You are not special. You have to carry the weight of you're share of the curse like the rest of the Sohma's!" Akito screamed. Shiko cried out and tried to scramble after the jade fragments. Akito kicked viciously at her, catching her in the stomach. The air rushed out of her lungs as she hit the floor.

She tried to lunge for Akito, wanted to rip off his skin, cause him suffering, but he punched her in the side of the face, sending her crashing through the door of the porch. Her head collided with a rock and she was out cold, blood trickling down her temple where it struck. Akito strode over to her and spat at her. Bending over, he grabbed a handful of her long dark hair and dragged her back into the room, a few drops of blood staining the earth. Taking out the pair of shears, he clipped away her hair in chunks and clumps. He started to laugh hysterically. There was a slamming sound as Hatori, Shigure, and another Sohma ran into the room.

"Akito! That's enough!" Shigure yelled as he grabbed one of his arms and the other Sohma grabbed the other. They dragged him into the hall as Hatori kneeled by Shiko. His eyes were glazed with tears unshed. He touched Shiko's cheek softly, running his fingertips down her soft skin. Tear drops fell from his eyes as he placed her head in his lap.

"Please, Shiko...Wake up. You need to wake up for me." He lifted her up into a clumsy sitting position and hugged her, placing on hand on her back and one on the back of her head. Shiko coughed, blood dripping from her lips, and opened her eyes slightly. Hatori pulled her out of the embrace and stared at her face. Tears rolled down Shiko's cheeks as she smiled shakily. One word came out of her mouth before she passed out, head on Hatori's blood stained shirt:

"Daddy..."