Disclaimer: As always, Fanfic fiction created by fans, not owners of. Therefore, I'm doing this gratis because I love the characters. I hope you love my version too. These wonderful characters are the gifts of Natsuki Takaya.

Chapter 14: Umpires and pitch hitters

The next morning, Tohru walked into the kitchen to find a very happy Rio cooking breakfast, and a very quiet Hatori reading the newspaper. She yawned widely and asked if she could help. When Rio refused her assistance, Tohru sat down and looked out the window. Hatori looked over his paper and noticed the dark circles under her eyes. Folding the sports page up to read later, he set the whole thing on the table and leaned forward on his arms.

"What's wrong Tohru-kun? You look like your dreams were plagued by demons."

She blinked and blushed before turning to him. "Not demons exactly." She looked back out at the pond as a great white egret rose with a fish in its claws. "But I was being chased by creatures making moaning noises, and Kyo and Yuki would only stare and tell me I was getting what I deserved." She missed the look the two lovers gave each other at the 'moaning noises' comment, Rio suddenly had to leave the room to cool off a red face. Hatori just grinned evilly before turning back to his charge.

ssssss

Yuki was standing outside of the Sohma compound, looking like he hadn't slept all night, which he hadn't. Hoping their plan didn't backfire, he opened the gate and walked into his reoccurring nightmare. He found Akito sitting on a small bench, watching the leaves blow in the breeze. They hadn't started turning yet, but it was that time of year. Akito was surprised to see Yuki, and even more surprised when Yuki walked up to Akito, fell on his knees, and wrapped his hands around Akito's waist, laying his head in Akito's lap much like a child would.

ssssss

Kyo was fighting demons of his own. In order to get Tohru back, he had to pay his own price. Turning the corner to the dojo, he was greeted with the black-haired woman who had become a shadow to Akito's plan. "Kagura-san. Can we talk?"

ssssss

Shigure peered out from under the covers of his bed when the phone rang. Realizing there was no one else at home to answer it, he cursed and reached under the mattress to retrieve the cordless he'd hidden when Tohru left. "What?"

Ayame was as bright as normal, and Shigure could almost see him standing like a willow, wrapping the phone cord around one long finger while preparing to whisper all the juiciest secrets. "Good morning Gure-kun. Did you sleep well?" Shigure grunted. "I thought we may have shared the same dream again last night; but by your foul mood, I can tell it was only I."

"What do you want? I was up half the night finishing the love scene in The Ravished Flower." Aaya laughed.

Shigure could hear Ayame pull the phone away from his mouth. "Mine, Shigure is working on another one. It's called The Ravished Flower." Mine looked over with a gleam in her eyes. He blew her a kiss before turning back to the phone. "I believe Mine is willing to proof it for you before you send it on."

"It's not done yet. Did you call to talk to me about my book, or to update me on the children?" Shigure fished a cigarette out of an almost empty pack and slapped at the pile of books beside the bed until he located the lighter. Flicking the lighter on, he lit up, sighing deeply as he exhaled.

"You know that those things will kill you." Ayame half-heartedly lectured.

"Being a Sohma is going to kill me. The cigarettes just make it bearable." They both laughed, neither willing to argue.

"Well, according to my spies, my little brother showed up at the compound and was seen entering Akito's lair."

"Oh shit!"

"I don't know anything else, I just hope Akito goes easy on him." Ayame hated that he'd let Akito hurt Yuki so badly when he was a child, he just hoped that Yuki was strong enough now to handle a second helping.

"And Kyo was seen with Kagura this morning. No one could hear what was being said, but they were talking like two old people, not two children. Kagura was not even clinging to him." He walked over and fingered a piece of yellow silk, looking at Mine with sleepy eyes. I think I need to see her in this fabric as a Chinese princess. Mine was pinning the hem on a nurse's outfit. Absently Ayame started drawing a sketch, not really paying attention to the person on the other end of the line.

Shigure knew Ayame had moved on to other endeavors and hung the phone up. Snuggling back into the bed, he never heard when his editor banged on his door and heaped curses on his head for being so obnoxious to work with.

Ayame waited until the young lady in the nurse's outfit had left before turning to Mine. "Mine, I need you for a minute."

She pushed the glasses back up her nose and stood to walk over to him. "Yes Boss?"

Ayame pulled out a tape measure and whipped it around her, getting the critical measurements before turning back to his paper. He waved a hand, dismissing her, and Mine blushed prettily before turning back to greet another customer. They both worked in silence, neither speaking unless it was to confer on a design or a change a customer requested.

Right after lunch, Ayame disappeared into his workshop, and Mine continued to tend the store. Since she knew what the boss wanted most of the time, she was not worried about getting his opinion on even the toughest customer's design. It was almost closing time when a small girl with sad eyes and straight brown hair crept into the store. Mine was sitting on the floor with pins in her mouth when she saw the child. Putting a soft hand on her client's foot, she asked to be excused for a moment.

The girl was huddled in the corner, and Mine automatically registered the defensive posture. She quickly dropped down onto her knees and put her hands in her lap in a non-threatening posture. "Can I help you?"

Kisa looked up into the kind face of the woman in front of her. "Is Oji-chan here?"

Mine blinked. Oji-chan? She suddenly nodded. "Hai, I'll bring him to you, please don't move." Mine stood and walked to the door of Ayame's workshop, stopping only to knock before entering. Ayame was putting tulle around the edges of the most beautiful yukata Mine had ever seen. "Oh!"

Ayame turned at the sound. "Mine! I was going to surprise you." He thought for a second. "Surprise!" She smiled and walked over to look at it, tears of joy running down her face. "So…what brought you into my sanctuary?"

"I almost forgot. There is a little girl looking for her uncle. She has very sad eyes and brown hair…" Ayame was already out the door.

"Kisamisa, where are you?" The pat-pat of little feet got louder as she ran around the corner of a stack of shelves and threw herself at Ayame. He knelt down, looking at her worriedly. "What's wrong little one?"

"It's Yuki!" Ayame felt his heart stop in his chest. "You have to help him!"

"What's wrong with Yuki?" Ayame brushed his hair back trying to appear unconcerned.

"When I stopped by to see Momiji today, I could hear Yuki crying very softly. When I finally found him, he was shut in a dark room, only Akito for company."

Oh Yuki, what have you gotten into? Are you doing this for Tohru, or because of Tohru? He put on a happy face and turned back to Kisa. "Yuki is having a hard time. I'm sure everything is okay."

She looked up, tears running down her face. "No, it's not. It's the same sound I make when Akito hurts me."

Ayame clenched his fists, hating what the head of the Sohmas was doing to the younger children. The previous head had been harsh, but not cruel. "Is Hatori-kun back yet?"

Kisa shook her head. "No, Momiji said that he'll be back tonight."

Hang in there Yuki, I'll be there soon. "Well, why don't you go find Hiro-chan and spend the day with him. Let me take care of my little brother." He wiped the tears from her cheeks and carried her to the door. When they reached the door, Ayame pretended to dump her on the ground, earning a shriek and a laugh. He sat her gently down, patted her head, and sent her on her way. While he was talking with Kisa, Mine had finished with their client and closed the shop. He leaned forward and kissed the top of her head in thanks before gathering his coat and heading out. Mine watched him put on his blue-velvet overcoat, helping him with his buttons. Then she took another moment to look at the new dress before heading home herself.

A/N: Konbanwa. Just wanted to keep my promise to submit next chapter on Wed/Thur. yawn Now I'm off to bed. Goodnight.