Disclaimer: Welcome to chapter 3! More on our Shigure madness and this will be definitely rated M! Anyways I thank you everyone for your sympathy over Akito and hatred over Ren. Love ya guys for that! NO there aren't any lemons….or are there? HEHE, read to find out! Oh and um can the Junishi hug Akito and NOT transform? Can I tell you how much I hate writing this chapter? I don't like writing about Shigure's madness. It creeps me out, but I have to in order to spread out the plot. Eh, I am embarrassed to say this but warnings for a lemon occurring with Shigure in here. The lemon was written by my friend since I suck at lemons.

Bold italics when a flash back occurs.

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Chapter 3: Love and Seduction and Confusion

Shigure was delighted to be able to have Akito all to himself without Kureno being there. In fact, he managed to sleep with her too. Luckily Kureno has a different room if Akito doesn't want him.

He looked over to his side where the sleeping Akito lay on the floor with him. Her pale head was sticking out and her masculine black hair had small strands covering part of her eyes.

He could still remember it clearly. The night that they had made love….Well it wasn't really love making…it was more of a…pleasurable intercourse. Though it was shameful they only got to this point right now despite the fact that they had intimate connections before.

(A/N Please read: There used to be a lemon here, but I took it out. My friend wrote a lemon for this chapter, but after 2 days of reading this whole fic, the lemon creeped me out! So I took it off. Sorry all you hentai people! Oh and if you're wondering why Akito makes a big deal over her night with Shigure, let's just say he didn't go easy on her!)

Shigure got up and got his clothes. He dressed himself and got ready to leave. It was past dawn and almost 6:00 am. He has to get out of here before Kureno catches them. It would have been awkward to be found naked with Akito on the floor with nothing to cover themselves, not to mention the mess they made.

Once he got out of her room and into the hallways leading to the exit, Kureno was walking rather sleepily towards the direction of where Shigure came from. He didn't notice the Inu. He's eyes were still a little weary. Shigure almost wondered why Kureno-kun was awake. He wasn't the rooster anymore. The habit of waking up early should die by now.

Before Kureno could reach or notice him, Shigure took a turn to the corridors on his left that lead to the back of the Main House.

Kureno thought he saw someone a few feet away from him, but his sleepy eyes weren't helpful. When he rubbed his eyes and yawned, that someone disappeared. Then, he kept on going towards Akito's room. Last night, she had told him to leave the room and he did. He expected her to call him in a few minutes, or hours, or so, but she didn't.

He slid open the Shoji and found a naked Akito sleeping on the floor. "What the…" Kureno gasped. He ran to her side, noticing a few torn bandages beside her. "Akito-san! Wake up!" he exclaimed.

Akito just shifted to turn away from Kureno, getting more sleep.

"Akito-san!" Kureno shook her shoulders.

She sat up quickly brushing off Kureno's hands and looked fiercely at him. "What do you want!"

Kureno was lost at words staring at Akito's bear chest. "Eh…"

Akito relaxed his expression and slowly looked at where Kureno was looking at to find herself completely naked. She quickly covered her chest with her arms, hugging herself tightly and her thighs closed up, leaving no space between. Her face turned to him angry, "WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING AT! GET ME SOMETHING TO WEAR!"

Kureno stood up alerted. He turned his head sideways looking for the closest garment available. He found Akito's robes scattered on the floor near the foot of her bed. He ran to it and snatched it. He went back to Akito's side and handed her the clothes. Then, he turned around to let her dress herself. Behind him, he could hear Akito getting dressed.

"These won't do," Akito whispered.

He turned around a little shocked. She wears those clothes everyday, what's so wrong………. "Oh I see," he shyly replied. Kureno noticed that Akito needed new bandages to hide her breasts, for its form was bulging on her robes. "I'll go to Hatori's office and see if he has new ones."

Kureno, forgetting that it was early in the morning, ran through the whole of the Main House, causing a racket and running around to find Hatori. Finally he got to his destination, but it was locked due to the early time. He decided to go to Hatori's room instead which was next to his office. Kureno knocked loudly, "HATORI!"

The door slowly opened as Hatori appeared rubbing his right eye with his knuckle wearing a yukata over pajamas. As he appeared closer to the rising sun's light, Kureno noticed that Hatori still had bed hair and a sleepy face.

"What are you doing here so early Kureno-kun?" he asked frustrated.

Kureno explained to Hatori about how he found Akito this morning on the floor naked and how she needs new bandages.

Hatori nodded his head, "Did you see Shigure before you went in there?"

Kureno was appalled. Why did he ask? "Umm, no, why?"

Hatori sighed and turned away from Kureno after handing him a roll of white linen-like cloth. "Shigure came over last night to talk with Akito-san."

Kureno became uneasy. He doesn't like it when Shigure and Akito spend some time alone. He would usually do something or say something to Akito that doesn't have anything to do with good deeds.

"I think you might want to hurry back to Akito-san," Hatori alluded.

"Huh?"

"Akito-san gets these ideas whenever she is alone. I don't want her to get a horrible idea right now, especially since Shigure is a suspect as to what might have happened to Akito," he added.

Kureno nodded his head. "Thanks again." He ran, again, back to Akito's room.

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The former rooster was filled with nervous-ness and fear as he saw Akito kneeling in the center of her room, with her robes loose on her shoulders, as she hugged her self tightly with her long fingers digging deep into her arms. There was a hint of red on her skin. Akito had her back facing Kureno so he couldn't see the look on Akito's eyes. He scampered to her side, dropping the roll of bandage. He snatched her hands away from her grasp with all his strength and looked at her eyes with his. "Akito-san, don't do that to yourself!"

She eyed him with those black, mortified, and psychotic look. She struggled as she tried to get her hands away from the clutches of Kureno.

Finally she became passive and fell onto Kureno's arms crying.

"What happened?" he asked pitifully.

She kept sobbing and muttering. Kureno hugged her tightly to comfort her. "It's alright Akito-san. I am here."

"I am so weak!" she yelled with pure hate. Akito used her 'male' voice to shout it out.

Kureno stared at her wonderingly.

"If….if…" her voice became high pitched again and disdainful. "If I wasn't weak, I could've stopped him!"

Him………she must be talking about Shigure-nisan. "Akito-san, are you talking about Shigure?"

Akito didn't reply but continued weeping.

Kureno let go of Akito and put his grip on Akito's arms where there were a few cuts. "We'll need to let Hatori-san take a look at these," he said emotionlessly.

"No…" she mumbled.

"Akito…"

She knelt up in front of him, "NO!"

"Akito…"

Before Kureno could continue what he was saying, a very hard smack at his face sent him lying on the floor.

"IF I DON'T WANT TO…I DON'T WANT TO!"

She turned frantically around to find the roll of bandages she needed. She quickly took it and wore off the top part of her loose robe, revealing her half naked. Then she quickly opened up a strip and started rolling it around her upper chest to the bottom of her stomach rather swiftly.

Kureno was able to stand up, noticing that Akito was doing fine by her own. He placed the palm of his hand on his cheek, feeling a slight sting of pain. He noticed it was bruised badly and could find traces of a very tiny scab on it. Did she smack me or what?

Meanwhile, Akito finished binding herself and put on her robes appropriately instead of loosely.

"What did Shigure do to you?" Kureno asked suddenly. "Did he rape you?"

Akito looked at him. "Would it be rape if I asked for it?" she retorted.

He was dismayed hearing Akito say, "I asked for it."

"You really did?"

She turned away, trying to yield tears. Akito looked sadly upon herself, "At first, I didn't want him to…" Her voice started to sound shaky as the sound of tears made its way through her pale face. "WHY AM I CRYING? IS IT BECAUSE I AM WEAK? I SHOULDN'T BE CRYING! IN THE END I ENJOYED IT ANYWAYS! WHY AM I CRYING?"

Kureno could only wish that Ren had never taught Akito the word, weak. "Akito-san, you should…-"

"IT'S BECAUSE I AM A GIRL RIGHT? ISN'T THAT WHY HE DID THAT TO ME IN THE FIRST PLACE?" She dug her nails on her wrists, but Kureno couldn't see it since she was facing the direction opposite of him. She was so afraid and petrified that seeing her blood starting to come out kind of soothed the pain.

Kureno sighed and looked sadly at her. "None of this is your fault Akito…" He tried to sound as calm as he can.

"I HATE MEN! I HATE WOMEN! I HATE EVERYTHING! I WISH I COULD JUST DIE! BUT WASN'T I BORN TO DIE? WHY CAN'T LIFE TAKE ME NOW WHEN I WANT IT?" She screamed and cried and more of the dark crimson came out from her wrists as her nails got in deeper.

He placed himself on her back and held her tightly wrapping his arms around her. Kureno cried too. He didn't exactly know why. All he knew was Akito did not deserve a life like this. He continued hugging her and letting the tears flow. "Akito-san, I care for you deeply. Don't hurt yourself." He placed his head on her shoulder, taking a look at her arms and wrists. With a sudden urge, Akito let go her of her hands and let the blood flow out. Kureno covered the wound with his own hands, letting go of her waist. He could feel the warm liquid try to flow through.

Then, he saw the remains of the roll of bandage next to Akito and quickly let go of Akito and took it. He backed away from Akito and walked around her. He knelt right in front of where she sat crying to herself. Next, Kureno wrapped Akito's bleeding cut with the last piece of cloth. He was fortunate she only did that to one wrist. There was only one small piece of it left and he doubt it would hold the blood much longer. He made up his mind to call Hatori without telling Akito.

"Akito-san I'm going to be back soon alright? I just need to get something."

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"Hatori I need your help again!" Kureno exclaimed. Hatori who is now in his 'doctor' outfit sitting on a swivel chair near his desk looked at him with a monotone expression.

"What's wrong?"

"Akito's bleeding!"

Hatori could sense the panic in Kureno's eyes. He knew Kureno is not talking about her period. Hatori grabbed his equipment and hurried off to Akito's room.

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Kureno was hesitant to open the door while Hatori was behind him. How would Akito react if she notices that I brought Hatori with me? But he couldn't just stand there. Akito is bleeding. He can't just stand there.

In the matter of impatience, the doctor stepped ahead of him and slid the door open. Inside Akito was lying down on the floor with her robes, again, loosely hanging on her as her hands were spread out on the floor. Kureno could see the bandages around her wrist soaking wet.

Hatori did his "thing" and patched Akito up. However, she was unconscious due to blood loss and was sleeping on her bed. After that, Hatori put some ointment on the bruise on Kureno's cheek.

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It's been 4 hours and Akito finally woke up, but she was reluctant to talk at all and temporarily became a mute. A maid sent her some food, but she just threw it on the floor. Kureno tried to use 'his' ability to persuade Akito, but he got another slap on the face. Then it was chosen for her to be left alone, while Kureno watches her from outside her room peering through the slightly open Shoji screen.

Once Akito was leaning her body on the sill of her window, she observed from above, seeing the 'Inside' isolated. The whole time, she knew Kureno was just there watching her, but she'd like to make him think she didn't know, especially since her back was always facing him.

All through her mind she was thinking about last night. How it happened. Why it happened. It was just confusing and giving her a break down. But why was it so surprising to her? Shigure and I have been ALMOST like that before. Why am I shocked when it actually happened? Before she could stop it, Akito cried, again. This time it wasn't not because of aggravation, but because of perplexity of things.

Speaking of perplexity…….

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(Flashback from chapter 101 in Furuba manga…SPOILER WARNINGS…don't skip this part)

Thirteen (or was she 9?) year old Akito went outside to her porch where Shigure was sitting. She walked up to him, wearing a cute red kimono. He was young and handsome then, and Akito always admired him in a way that attracts her to him. Once she was next to him, she asked in a curious innocent voice, "Shigure-ni do you like me?"

Shigure looks at her strange, and then he puts up this romantic smile. After that, he stands up, walks out into Akito's garden leading to a bush of Tsubakis and plucked one out. He walked back to her, with a red Tsubaki on his hand. Shigure handed it to her. Akito accepted it. Then he reached out his other hand for her other one. Carefully, he placed his mouth right next to her ear, "I think of you more than anything or anyone else." Next thing he does, he kisses her gently on her small girlish cheeks. Akito who was standing on the elevated porch, short and small, and Shigure standing on the soil of her garden (which was in a lower level than her porch) stood taller than Akito. She blushed slightly, feeling a sudden bliss.

"I love you."

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Akito once again, shredded uncontrollable tears. Yes, she knew it. She knew from the bottom of her very heart that Shigure felt this twisted love for her. But why the bewilderment?

Why?

Why?

Everything in her mind, echoed a Why?

If everyone knew "why", there wouldn't be a curse in the first place, for they would know the reason why it happened so they would've found a counter for it.

If every one knew "why", Ren would find a way to travel back into time and made sure Akito was a boy.

If everyone knew "why", Akito wouldn't be so weak so she'd know what to improve on.

If only, everyone knew…..

If……

Now the word "if" repeated itself in her irritated brain.

If only, if only…I wasn't so weak!

Akito's thinking got deep. Why am I afraid of death IF it can just bring me peace? What if death can finally put an end to this nonsense? The thought of a blade piercing her pale skin gave her an idea…suicide. If she was too weak for everything, why not run away? The weak cannot survive in the cruel world. The weak must die! I know… at dinner, I'll ask Kureno to bring me some steak to eat so I'll need a knife…this would be interesting…

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(8 hours and 45 minutes later)

Kureno was not happy. It's already 7 pm and Akito remained to be a mute. She can't stay silent for the rest of her life! She hasn't eaten either. His apprehensiveness is killing him. Damn why does Shigure have to do this to her!

Right now, he ignored this and went to the nearest servant and told her to prepare dinner, but before he let her go, he told her to stay where she was and he'll be right back. Maybe Akito will eat something she'd like. She always gets food planned by Hatori-san. He knocked on the door, but before hearing an answer, he welcomed himself in. Akito was still leaning on the sill of her window. "Akito what would you like to eat for dinner?"

Akito was planning to ask him for a steak once the food was finished, but she guesses he wants 'it' early. (When I mean it, I mean not the food). "I want a steak," she answered.

"A steak?" he asked a little surprised. "Do you want a steak knife with it so you can eat it easily?"

Stupid boy! She smirked, "Of course."

A Small Prayer

Lyrics & composition: Ritsuko Okazaki, from the Fruits Basket soundtrack

Now let's all gather

Enjoying the company we share

Our tears will dissolve into thin air

As we drink up this good love and life

drinkin up all this good love and life

Drinkin up all this wonderful love and life

Sei ippai datta ichinichi ni

Sayonara to arigatou

Waratte oemashou

Sore wa chiisa na inori

Haru, hana saki, midori moeru koro

Donna namida mo, hora, kaze ni nagasarete ku

drinkin up all this good love and life

Drinkin up all this wonderful love and life

A/N: If you want the Fruits Basket Manga scans for the flashback in chapter 101, please e-mail me.

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Disclaimer: I'll have you know again that lemon was written by my good friend Leceline. No, that's not her real name, just a pen name. OOOOOOO please R&R!