Author's Note: hey it's me again. Here to continue Love's Nocturne. I claim no rights any type at all to Fruits Basket. So yeah, you guys want a cookie? You guys want a cookie? Oh yes you do…yes you do….want some milk with that too? Okay I am being weird. Wow, chapter 1 was SHORT. When I typed it up it was 13 pages.
Rating T
Pairings: Shigure x Akito
Yen's ramblings of extreme thoughts part 1: Yeah I am putting this up for now. My beautiful Akito... Ha it was funny when Takaya-sensei said "My Mabudachi Aki." Now I want to say, "My sexy Aki" I always thought of Akito as a sex god. Which makes me wonder, when Akito goes somewhere like a restaurant or something and she needs to use the bathroom, does she use men's or women's? Very weird, ne?
Key Terms:
Mabudachi – handsome and blossoming
Ne – it technically means right when you're using it at the end of a question.
"Quotations" – part of speech
Italics – someone's thoughts
'Single quotations' – when a word is being stressed
NOTE: this chapter will start with Yuki, so Akito will be referred to as "he" for the first few paragraphs. First five paragraphs are taken from volume 15. WARNING: this chapter, a lil dark and fluffy.
In case you guys didn't know, the ages…: Akito – 7; Shigure, Ayame, Hatori – 14; Kureno – 13.
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Chapter 2: Secrets of the Devouring Shadows
(Time – when Akito is 7, setting in the beginning volume 15..SPOILERS FOR VOLUME 15)
There are many dark secrets in the Sohma family. Many secrets that were kept to the grave……
Yuki spent every hour and minute with Akito when he didn't have school. Sure, Akito is short-tempered, but he was kind in a way. Everyday, Akito would simply rant about how special they both are and how their bond is stronger than anything in the world.
All his general feelings for Akito are neutral. He simply doesn't how to feel around Akito especially when the bond is taking in effect.
There was one time when Akito lost his temper while eating lunch as Yuki coughed constantly due to his weak bronchi. Slamming the dishes on the floor, Akito covered his ears and yelled, "SHUT UP! STOP THAT COUGHING, IT'S REALLY ANNOYING!"
Yuki covered his mouth, stifling his cough. Yuki felt a temporarily short fear for what had just happened, but it all passed. After a few seconds, Akito calmed down and they both started eating again. (That scene was taken from volume 15 of Fruits Basket)
Many days later, Yuki saw Akito crying one time, in her room alone. He would seldom see Akito being cradled by Shigure as she was mentally breaking. (Now I am using the pronoun she, don't get confused) When Shigure isn't there to comfort Akito, Kureno would come by and do the deed himself.
One day, when Shigure and Yuki were alone for the first time, he asked, "Shigure, why is Akito crying?"
Shigure looked at Yuki sadly and said, "Because Akito's hurting… and right now, Akito doesn't want to be bothered. Stay away for now, alright Yuki?"
Yuki nodded his head and gawked at the Shoji screen leading to Akito's room. Inside, Yuki could feel his heart aching. He didn't understand why but he felt a pang of pain and regret inside of him. Inside, his god is breaking.
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A few hours after Akito locked herself in her room, Shigure went inside to assure his goddess was still alright.
"Don't come in! My world… I am…I … exist! I …" Akito stuttered, petrified.
"Akito-san, it's me Shigure," he said soothingly as he entered.
Akito, who was sitting on the floor with her arms covering her head, looked up with tears in her eyes. "Shigure?" Her face was very frightened and her body shivered of fear.
"Yes, it's me Akito-san," he replied.
Akito stood up quickly and ran towards the Inu. As soon as she reached him, she opened her arms and hugged the taller (and older) boy tightly. She cried violently, "I DO EXIST! I DO LIVE! I DO HAVE A REASON! I AM NOT NOTHING!" Her cries and cries went on, all saying, "I AM NOT NOTHING!"
Shigure lifted her up and kissed her lightly on her cheek, whispering slightly, "It's okay, you're not nothing."
Her tears started to stop as her voice slowly calmed. But her clutch on Shigure tightened, creasing his shirt. Her nails dug into the skin of his back. Akito's voice started to become aggressively dangerous, "I do exist. I am not nothing. I can live."
He caressed her back lovingly as he continued on holding her.
"That woman…" she ranted, "That woman is wrong! I HATE HER! I HATE EVERYTHING! THIS WORLD… THIS WORLD IS PITCH BLACK! I HATE THIS PLACE! I DON'T WANT TO STAY HERE ANYMORE!"
Shigure knelt down and let go of Akito, letting her stand on her own. Akito rubbed her eyes with her small pale hands. But right after that, she hugged him again, wanting shelter and comfort. "SHIGURE YOU LOVE ME RIGHT? YOU LOVE ME RIGHT?" she sobbed hopelessly.
Shigure returned the hug, again, and murmured in her ear, "Yes, I love you more than anything in the world."
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A day later, Akito could smile again. However, Ren noticed that it was because of Shigure and banned him from seeing her for a week. It was originally 2 days, but Shigure mouthed Ren back.
(Three days later)
She didn't have Yuki to play with because he had school. Akito didn't have school (but I believe she had a mentor). So the whole day, she was alone, reading her books.
Akito wasn't so alone when she heard the sound leaves cracking and shaking in a bush in her immense garden. Akito put down her book and she walked slowly and curiously towards the open door leading to her garden. Akito stood on her porch, short and excited in a bad way.
A tall young lad came out of the bushes dirty and mud stained. He brushed off small twigs from his jet black hair and smiled seeing Akito standing there so eagerly.
"Shigure?" she called with a soft voice.
His smile looked silly and boyish. It came to Akito clearly, that he snuck in after observing his twig and leaf stained clothes. But she wondered why Shigure had to trespass his way when he could just knock on her door. (She was oblivious and not told of Shigure's punishment from Ren. This way, Ren thought Akito would think Shigure abandoned her)
"The prince will have to see his princess sometime," Shigure said in a teasing voice scratching the back of his head with his right hand.
Akito smiled happily as her bored and pessimistic spirit lit up with pure joy. Her eyes grew wide and excitement and her lips grew wide smiling, revealing her cute side. Shigure started to walk towards her.
Shigure's left hand, which was hidden behind his back, was revealed holding on to two beautiful Tsubakis and held it out to her. Akito's reaction was priceless as her eyes beamed like the stars and a gasp of cheerfulness leapt from her mouth. "They're my favorite Shigure!" (Did it ever occur to Akito that she had a square meter of them in her garden?)
Akito opened her arms to welcome an embrace from her favored Junishi. Shigure approached closer and wrapped his arms around her tiny body back. When he had let go, he placed a hand on her soft cheek, caressing it as he stared lovingly at her. "I'll always be here for you."
Akito held the Tsubakis against her chest and gazed back at the older boy's eyes. It was then that Shigure drew closer and kissed a surprised Akito on her smooth lips. It wasn't a passionate lover's kiss. It was a simple, childish kiss from a 14 year old boy towards a 7-year old girl.
After that precious moment, Shigure and Akito did what they usually do. They played around, hung out, told stories, and etc. But there was something different about that day. That day, they felt closer to each other. It was like an aura of love hung above them. Their time together was like a dream.
But just like every dream, this one had to pass. Shigure took note of the time and noticed that Yuki shall becoming soon, being escorted by the hand maid of Ren and Akito. He didn't want to get caught by her because that will jut result into the maid telling Ren herself. So he ended their blissful time and instantly said with a sad tone, "Akito-san, I have to go."
She gave a gloomy expression. Akito got the feeling he didn't want to be there. "Why, Shigure?"
Shigure replied with a gray face, "Well, I really can't tell you. But I promise I'll come back sometime tomorrow, alright?"
Akito's face was full of color again and she nodded her head joyously.
He quickly ran out of the face but waved a goodbye before he did. And in minutes, a knock came on Akito's Shoji as she quietly ran back to her place in the center of her bright room.
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Kureno was very surprised at Shigure's action and just continued listening to his story.
"Wow Gure-nisan, you really snuck in huh?" Kureno asked awed at his bravery.
"Well of course, I just told you, didn't I?" Shigure responded harshly. Kureno was intimidated by the older boy and so frowned.
Ayame took his turn to talk and said with pure confidence, "Well I think that was very sweet of Shigure, to comfort our little Goddess as if she was a queenly princess! IT'S MAN'S ROMANCE!"
Hatori and Kureno looked at Ayame in an odd way.
Shigure giggled at his best friend's comment.
Hatori, who was listening with them the whole time, said his, rather mature, opinions, "I think that was very stupid of you Shigure. What would've happened if you were caught?"
"Haa-kun you're too mature for these things," Shigure teased, patting the back of the dragon.
Ayame's confident and happy face became curious and suspicious. "Shigure, you say there was neither sight nor hint of Ren-sama coming?"
The other three looked up at him perplexed. Hatori quickly came back to his monotone face and said, "If that's so Shigure," He turned to look at him, "It's very suspicious that she didn't watch thinking you wouldn't sneak in."
Kureno looked at his older friends and stated, "That's true Gure-ni. The last time you were in trouble with Ren-sama she made sure you didn't come close to the garden nor Akito-san."
Shigure lowered his head in deep thought.
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(A day later,)
Kureno was aghast in horror as Ren not only threw verbal abuses but slapped her on her weak face with pure strength after walking in on their play time. Ren smirked cruelly. It turns out, she was able to get Shigure's surprise visit out of Akito's mouth from yesterday.
"I'll make sure that damn dog gets it too," she said with pure hostility. "Did you really think I can let you have your 'happiness' on times when you're being punished?" Another slap on the face stroke Akito, hitting her continuously every time she was done talking. "You're lucky I even let Kureno in here." Another slap on the face…
"REN-SAMA!" Kureno protested.
"SHUT UP!" Ren countered.
Akito glared angrily at her 'mother'. She felt it an insult when someone not of the Junishi orders them around while abusing their god. "DON'T YOU DARE SPEAK TO HIM LIKE THAT! HE'S NOT YOURS TO BOSS AROUND!" The bond between them took effect on her.
Ren almost laughed hearing this. Her eyes changed from evil to psychotic. "YOU REALLY THINK HE'S 'YOURS'? THAT MAKES ME WANT LAUGH AKITO!"
She smacked her, this time, blood dripped out, but Akito still stood up.
Ren's tone of voice changed again with the hint of disgust coming out of her lips, "No one and especially not my 'son' will NEVER disobey or disrespect me!" One final blow to her face (very repetitive) but Akito gathered her strength to maintain her balance.
"If THAT is what you call your BOND then it is pretty useless Akito. You're not as special as you think you are. You're nothing but a spoiled annoying brat WHO KNOWS NOTHING BUT TO TAKE OUT TANTRUMS! THEY DON'T LOVE YOU AKITO! THE BOND THAT YOU CLAIM IS NOTHING BUT A FALSE ONE! TELLING YOURSELF THAT YOU'RE BEING LOVED AND PEOPLE LYING THAT THEY LOVE YOU, IT'S ALL A FALSE BOND! YOU'RE EXISTENCE IS NOTHING BUT A WASTE OF TIME!"
Akito was horrified at what she was saying and wanted her to stop.
Meanwhile Kureno persisted on, "Ren-sama," the rooster disrupted with a hint of fear, "I believe that's enough."
Ren ignored him and took pleasure in seeing Akito's frightened expression as her eyes swelled up tears of resent. She continued her remarks, "Akito, you don't deserve to live. All your life you'll spent your time destroying the lives of the ones you control. They'd hate you and because of the 'bond' they'd hate you more. The Junishi that you love so much, even Kureno and Shigure, will wish you were DEAD. So don't think everything is happy and innocent. Even your precious Yuki thinks the same."
Kureno couldn't stand it anymore. He couldn't stand her making Akito feel unwanted and telling her horrible lies. With a sudden courage, he ran to block them from each other, standing in front of Akito. "Ren-sama it's enough! Leave her alone!"
Ren's smirk was swept away and she looked at him with cold eyes. "Why should I? 'He's' my son. I can tell 'him' anything I want." Ren grabbed him by his collar and started to rise him a few inches from the floor (wow she's strong), "So don't you ever DARE interrupt me…you filth!" Ren threw him on the ground weakly but only for a short distance.
Akito was crying now. She felt pain for herself and Kureno. The Junishi that you love so much, even Kureno and Shigure, will wish you were DEAD. She stared fearfully at what happened at Kureno. They'd hate you and because of the 'bond' they'd hate you more.
"Remember this Akito," Ren alluded, disturbing Akito's thoughts, "This world is full of shadows that will devour your every thought and every word and every soul. Don't get ahead of yourself and think this world is a happy place because it's not. It's world of darkness and pitch BLACK."
After all those words were shared, Ren left the both of them alone. Then, she made sure Shigure wouldn't sneak in anymore and Kureno was sent home immediately.
Seeing him all worried, Shigure came to Kureno after he got out of the main house and asked, "What happened?"
Kureno's worried eyes fixated upon Shigure and said, "Ren said horrible things…to Akito. I don't know…if she's fine or scared or … even broken."
Shigure was not satisfied with his answer. He glared and ran towards the Main House. However, he was stopped by a group of maids and a security guard. Despite their overpowering strength, Shigure tried to get in by pushing them off and yet he was stopped.
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(Next scene is a retold version of a chapter from Volume 15)
Yuki just came back from school and went directly to Akito's room. As he went in, he was perplexed to see Akito, painting the room's walls with a Japanese writing brush, black.
"Akito?" Yuki looked into Akito's eyes and saw in them a broken soul. They looked crazy and unstable, as if he was in the brink of insanity. During the while, Akito ignored him, continuing his painting.
"Akito?" repeated Yuki.
He heard Akito murmur something, "My world…" and his voice grew louder and insane, "My world is pitch black! I am pitch black! Yuki should be pitch black too! Because we are the same…WE EXIST AND THIS WORLD IS PITCH BLACK BUT I DO EXIST!" During the break down, Akito grabbed the brush so hard it broke into half.
"A… Akito?"
She turned to him with a confusing look. She had a smile mixed with a scowl, an evil emotion erupting from her. Yuki was held back by fear. He wanted to know why and what happened that caused Akito to break down so suddenly.
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Once the whole room was done being painted, Yuki was frightened by it. It was pitch black and had a hostile aura. When Akito entered the room, Yuki braced himself for the worst. She had a grin on her pale face as she walked closer to Yuki. He coward back in fear and stepped back to the corner of a room.
"This world, my dear Yuki, is a world of shadows," she started with a hint of evil coming out of it, "It has no need for us… and no need for YOU. We are worthless beings in this black world…"
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Shigure was worried. Once he was allowed to see Akito again, she was crazy. She yelled about the smallest thing and talked and acted as if happiness was out of the question and subject. When he held her, she hugged him back in the strangest of way as if a dangling creature was in his arms. It was strange… and dark… Her room, most of all, was what abashed him. Worst of all, she brought up the subject he feared the most.
"That day… Shigure… You promised me you'd come back, but you didn't…"
He didn't seem confused and ready to explain but Akito went on.
"Why did you leave me Shigure?" her voice was unwelcoming and mortifying. "You could've saved me from that 'woman' but you didn't come back." She came closer to where he was sitting. She held his shoulders with her small hands, caressing him in a loving way, but then…suddenly, a tight grip, digging her nails into his skin came with a painful sight.
Shigure tried to brush her off but she persisted, "WHY? WHY DID YOU LEAVE ME?"
"Akito I…!" He looked at her very bewildered. "Stop!"
Her nails stabbed his skin harder, "NO! You left me there!" She was crying now.
Shigure felt this urge to hold her tightly. Maybe that will make her stop. He followed his own advice and it worked. But instead, she tried with all her effort to get away from him as she cried and cried and cried hopelessly. "LET ME GO!" Her knuckles punched on him, trying hard to be free of him. But Shigure continued this and held her as long as he can, until she was tired. She was so tired, she fell asleep.
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Disclaimer: Very very dark. Poor Akito…I am so mean. Read and review. I'm sorry guys but I was listening to the song from the Fruits Basket soundtrack, "Mysterious Family" and I had an urge to write something dark.