DEADLY OBSESSION

CHAPTER 4

INNOCENT PLEASURES AND DENIAL

What we want is not always right…and could be very painful

Over the next week, things had drastically changed, and though the changes killed Tohru inside, she wouldn't allow herself to show it to the others. Korosu had allowed Tohru to return home, but had prohibited her from seeing Kaze. Kyo hadn't returned from wherever it was he had run off to. He had been gone since the day he went to get Tohru at the Sohma house. Momiji, Kisa and Hiro had stopped coming around, and Ritsu finally returned home. Haru spent the majority of his time in his room, and Yuki spent his time in the garden. She was positive that the sudden odd behavior had something to do with the private meetings Korosu had had with each of the zodiacs. The only thing that had remained unchanged was Shigure.

"Shigure, do you think he's okay?" Tohru asked lightly as she scrubbed down on a pot, trying to wash her tension away while she cleaned.

"I'm sure Kyo-kun is fine Tohru, he can take care of himself" Shigure replied, watching her from the door way. The girl just looked so tense.

"I was talking about Kaze.." She said lightly, "Korosu said that he was going to be head of the family…what will happen to Kaze? I'm scared that...I'm scared that he'll try to hurt his own little brother..." Tohru finished cleaning the pot and began to dry it with an old rag. "I want to see him again Shigure"

"Korosu?"

Tohru nodded in reply, turning around to look at him, bowing her head gently, "Please Gure-san, take me to see Kaze.." she had to make sure the boy was okay. She wanted to protect the head of the Sohma family, just like the Sohmas had protected her.

"Now now my little princess, I don't know if that's such a good idea. Korosu hasn't bothered you for several days. I'm positive it means he has something up his sleeve. It would be best to stay clear of him for a while" Shigure thought out loud, tapping his index finger against his cheek.

"Those words hurt mutt, I would never do anything to hurt Tohru" Korosu smiled slightly, "I hope you don't mind me letting myself in. I did not feel like waiting at the door"

"Not at all Korosu" Shigure smiled placing himself at an angle between Tohru and Korosu. "What can we do for you?"

Korosu glided forward towards Tohru, shoving Shigure aside. Quickly, he wrapped his arms around her, hugging her tightly, his head tilted so that it was buried against her neck. He inhaled her scent and smiled to himself, squeezing her gently. Lifting his head slightly, he nibbled on Tohru's earlobe. "Kaze is In the hospital. He's dying, and it's all your fault"

"M-my fault?" Tohru rested limply in his tight embrace, her eyes doubling in size as she stared off into face and her eyebrows raised, expressing her shock and concern. Something had happened to little Kaze Sohma, and it was all her fault.

"Now now Korosu, don't tell little Tohru that when you know it isn't true" Shigure warned in a kind voice, though he was very upset at the moment. He knew Korosu was a violent character, but he would have never thought he was violent enough to hurt his own younger brother. He placed a hand on Korosu's shoulder and gave it a firm squeeze, "What happened to Kaze?" he asked in a more serious tone.

Korosu didn't hesitate to extend an arm and a finger to point at the confused Tohru Honda, "She left him with me, knowing damn well what I wanted to do with Kaze from the start. It's like leaving a wolf with a sheep. You know it's trouble and it shouldn't be done. And--" he turned proudly, taking a deep breath and glaring at Tohru, "As head of the Sohma family, I blame you. And you will be punished"

"I..have to go see him!" Tohru exclaimed suddenly, almost as though she hadn't even heard Korosu say she needed to be punished. "I have to make sure he's okay!" She felt guilty and very rotten inside. Korosu was right, it was her fault.

"TohruShigure spoke, "Don't..."

"Korosu-sensei, what are you doing here?" Yuki asked as he entered the house, taking off his coat and placing it on the coat hanger to the side of the door. He gave Korosu a look he would have never given Akito: One of pure dislike. He had feared Akito, but towards Korosu, he didn't feel that.

"I came to pay Tohru-kun a friendly little visit" Korosu replied with a smirk as he pulled away from Tohru and turned to face the prince, "I did miss her so much, as did Kaze and Hatori. That poor dragon. He always looks so lonely. I was hoping Tohru could come and entertain us"

"You pervert" Yuki replied instantly, "Leave now"

"Now now, Yuki-kun. I came all this way. It would be very rude for me to leave now, without resting a while" He waved his finger back and forward in the air, shunning his impoliteness. He strolled over to a chair and sat down, making it obvious that he wasn't leaving.

"That's alright Korosu, you and I can talk while Yuki kidnaps Tohru-kun, as he had originally planned on doing" Shigure winked in the rat's direction.

Both Tohru and Yuki blushed in reply. But soon, Yuki moved forward, taking Tohru's arm. "I did say I was going to kidnap her if she refused to join me on a summer outing"

"Oh...you did say that..." Tohru remembered sheepishly, "You said...you were going to start coming out more, and you wanted me to go" she nodded once. Yes, Yuki really had said that…but she had never thought that he meant it.

"And so, I'm kidnapping you" Yuki smiled as he began to lead her away. He could feel Korosu's eyes cut into him and it made him smile even more. If only he had been able to stand up to Akito the way he did Korosu.

Tohru glanced back in time to see Korosu wink at her and lick his lips. She didn't like it, and instantly knew that more bad events would soon occur.

Once the two teens were gone, Shigure prepared some tea for Korosu, then sat down with him. "Why did you really come?" he asked.

"I've made some very important plans Shigure-san..." Korosu began.

Walking through the forest like that almost made Tohru forget about young Kaze. She hadn't forgotten about him entirely, yet part of her couldn't help believe that maybe Korosu had been lying in order to get her to go back to the main house. But she wondered, what if he wasn't lying? What if Kaze was hurt?

"Honda-san, your trembling, are you alright?" Yuki asked, turning to face her as they reached the garden. Once he released her hand, the trembling stopped and Yuki became even more concerned. He hadn't even realized that after Korosu had attacked her, she might have still been a bit shaken up by a males touch. He couldn't blame her either. "Gomen ne…"

"Oh no!" Tohru smiled and shook her head, "I'm okay, it was just a small gust of wind that gave me the chills" She hoped she hadn't offended him in any way.

"Onegai, don't lie..." Yuki said gently, inching closer to her. If she began to tremble again, he'd know she had been fibbing. But she didn't. She didn't tremble at all. She simply stood there with that odd yet inviting smile of hers and that focused yet distant look in her eyes. Her hands clasped together in front of her. He smiled and reached out, wrapping a few strands of her hair around his fingers. "I admire you, Honda-san. Your so strong"

Tohru blushed, "Um no...I..." she didn't know what to say.

He leaned forward slightly, pressing his forehead against hers, smiling. "I want to be as strong as you are some day" Tohru turned even redder, and he chuckled, pulling away and looking to the garden behind them, "Look, the strawberries are ready to be picked. You like strawberries right, Honda-san?"

"Hai!" Tohru exclaimed with a happy nod. "I love them!" she brushed past him and knelt down at the patch and began to gently pick them from their vines. Yuki sat down next to her and began to pick them as well. She watched him. He looked so focused and concentrated; careful to not harm any of the precious strawberries he had grown. "Yuki?"

Yuki looked up, "Hmm?"

"I admire you too!" she smiled brightly and held out a large strawberry for him to have.

Kyo growled loudly in frustration as he kicked at the tough bark of the large pine tree then spun around and switched feet, kicking again. Normally the impact of the rough wood against his leg would have hurt, but the pain he was already feeling countered the pain he would normally feel from the kick to the tree. He panted and stopped, lowering his head. "Why do I care? I don't love Tohru."

"That isn't very true now, is it Kyo-kun?" Kazuma asked, his hands slipping into the long sleeves of his kimono as he watched his pupil complete his full force attack on the tree. "You may not love her, but you feel something for her, am I right?"

"Shishou-san..." Kyo replied with a bit of shame, turning his head slightly as he blushed a bit, though he didn't lift it at all. He did feel something for Tohru, but, one would be foolish not to. Tohru was literally an example of the perfect girl; the girl every guy dreamed about. She was very kind and intelligent (though she had her air headed moments) and she was also very cute. Tohru was patient, and an excellent listener, and always saw more than what was revealed on the surface. "Don't tease me!" he spun around, arm extended and hand balled into a fist.

Though he launched himself at Kazuma with about as much strength as he could gather, it still wasn't strong enough to have a real effect on the teacher. He easily blocked Kyo's oncoming attack and smiled faintly. The cat was trying to hide his feelings again, and though he didn't want to force Kyo into telling him what was on his mind, he didn't want him to keep the feelings bottled up either. "Remember this Kyo, she opened her heart to you. She loved you even though she feared you. When will you open your heart to her?"

"I have Shishou!" Kyo replied, pulling his fist out of Kazuma's grip then rubbing his knuckles. "Haven't you noticed, I've changed?" he asked, pointing to himself for a second before turning around and lowering his head again.

"But not completely" Kazuma continued calmly. He had indeed noticed the change in Kyo and was glad that it had occurred. He was less tense now, and smiled more. His martial arts skills had improved along with his personality as well. "I'll let you return to your training, Kyo. Don't over exert yourself" he bowed, excusing himself.

Kyo bowed back, "I won't...sensei?"

"Hai?" Kazuma stopped and waited.

"I don't want to beat Yuki as badly as I used to" he confessed. "I'd rather beat the snot out of that Korosu Sohma" Kyo punched his fist into his other hand and gave a firm nod. "The guy is a big jerk. An even bigger jerk than Hiro"

Kazuma remained silent for a moment, "The caretaker of the new head of the Sohma family" he spoke gently, lowering his head and sighing. He had never personally visited the new head, but he had heard that his older brother was nothing but trouble. Luckily however, the people on the outside didn't have to deal with him as much as the Sohmas that lived on the inside. "Kyo, do not look for trouble. This is a fresh slate. A chance to start anew. You've yet to beat Yuki. If it hadn't been for the fact that Akito passed away, you'd be locked away right now. Do not insult Korosu and place yourself in the same position you had been with Akito" It was a fair warning, though it sounded very much like an order for Kyo to drop his ideas. "And, for your own safety, I suggest you return home"

"But Shishou..." Before Kyo could complete his sentence, Kazuma began to walk away. He was done discussing the matter, and that was his silent way of saying it. Kyo sighed and dropped down onto a flat rock, resting his chin against his fists, staring at the muddy ground. He wanted to beat Korosu more than anything...especially now after what he had done to Tohru, and what he had said about who Tohru really loved. "I'm not leaving the dojo until I'm strong enough" he decided, remembering how Kazuma had told him to go home. "Nothing can make me leave"

"Kyo-kuuuuuun!" Birds fluttered to the sky's rabbits scurried into their little dens and worms buried themselves deep into the ground. Kyo stood from the rock and instantly dashed through the trees, ignoring the cuts and scrapes he received from branches that smacked against his skin. "Kyo-kuuuuuun my looooooove! Where are yoooooooou?"

He had been wrong. There was something that could make him leave. And that something was the destructive force of Kagura Sohma, the boar as well as the psycho of the family. And, if Kyo valued his life, he'd run and run and not stop until he was safe within Shigure's house, locked in his own room with all the furniture pressed against the door.

"Almost there...almost th-" he tripped over his own two feet (or so he thought) and stumbled to the ground. He mentally cursed and moved to get up, but found that he was unable to because of the destructive boar wrapped around his legs. "Kagura, let go!" He wiggled his legs, wanting to get free. He shot his arm out, pressing the palm of his hand against her forehead. "Let go, baka!"

"Kyo, Kyo, Kyo!" Kagura chanted excitedly. "I didn't believe it when sensei told me you were here! I'm so glad you are! I wanted to invite you--"

"Invite me to what?" Kyo interrupted, still trying to push her off of him. He was feeling very annoyed...very crowded...but mostly very annoyed. "I'm not going on another stupid date with you Kagura"

"Don't interrupt me, Kyo-kun!" Kagura snapped, grabbing him by the neck and strangling him, shaking him as she did so.

"Okay okay!"

Kagura smiled, set him down then hugged him, "I wanted to invite you to the wedding! Your gonna be my date because everyone knows you can't go to a wedding alone" she pulled away and gave him puppy eyes, grabbing his hand tightly. "You will go with me won't you?" her eyes glowed as she squeezed his hand, waiting for his reply.

"Ow...Ow...OW! Okay, I'll go!" Kyo replied sharply, trying to pull his hand away. "What wedding?" he then asked once she released his hand. He began to rub it, looking down at the marks of her nails that had begun to pierce his skin. "Whose getting married?"

"Tohru-kun and Korosu-san!" Kagura exclaimed happily as though there was no problem with the pairing. "And the wedding is..." she swung her little bag over her shoulder and unzipped it, looking for her planner. Kyo began to crawl back, but she grabbed his ankles with her own legs, finished her search then looked up, "Two weeks!"

"Two weeks?" The cat exclaimed.

"Yup!"

"Kagura...you idiot" Kyo shoved her off and quickly began to run back towards Shigure's house. This couldn't be happening. It just had to be some kind of joke. Tohru wasn't old enough to get married. And even if she was, she couldn't get married to...Korosu of all people.

"Kyo? What did I do wrong? Kyo? Kyo? Kyo!" Kagura was on her feet in less than a second, and off she went after her one and only love.

Young Kaze cried and cried, waving his arms and legs through the air. His cry was loud and piercing, almost as though someone had been trying to kill him, though in reality, the only person there was trying to help him. Hatori sighed quietly and cradled the baby in his arms. He couldn't understand what he was doing wrong. Maybe…Kaze was still sick. He had been crying since they left the hospital. He set Kaze down in his little crib and turned to leave the room to consult his medical books.

Korosu had tried to poison his own little brother, unfortunately for him, he hadn't been sneaky enough in doing so nor had he been smart enough, and so, Hatori was able to catch him in the act and get the head of the Sohma's to the hospital in time. The dose Korosu had given the baby hadn't been lethal. Infact, it wouldn't have done more than give the baby a high fever.

He flipped through the pages of the book then realized that the crying might have been caused by something baby related, instead of some illness. Perhaps his diaper was dirty, or he was cranky because he was sleepy. Or maybe, he was just hungry. Hatori almost smiledmost. It had been a while since he had last dealt with a baby, so his paternal skills had been dormant. Now however, they were slowly awakening. Besides, if one could handle a baby like Akito or Hiro, one could handle anything.

All he needed was a warm bottle, a diaper and a few toys for Kaze to play with. Or maybe... what he really needed was Tohru. Though so young, Tohru had excellent maternal skills. She was so kind and so delicatee remembered her smiles and her wise comments.

And he remembered how her smile had been shattered by what Korosu had done to her, and how she hadn't had a single comment to make after it had happened. It was odd seeing her that way...very odd. It was as though the Tohru Honda he knew had disappeared. But, she had returned and acted as though nothing had happened. He admired her.

"Ha-san!" Ayame's cheery voice rang through out the house (which surprisingly, forced Kaze to giggle and coo) "I've arrived!" Now, he was just stating the obvious and hoping to be showered with pleased greetings. Of course, he knew better to think he would get that from Hatori.

The doctor fetched Kaze then headed to the main room where he knew Ayame would be waiting. "Konnichi wa Ayame" he greeted with a nod. "What trouble are you in now?"

"Oh Ha'ri, you crack me up!" Ayame waved him off as he dramatically dropped down onto the couch. "I'm not in any trouble...yet. I'm simply here as a favor to dear Korosu. He called me over to size Tohru up for a pleasant little wedding dress, and who am I to shatter a man's dream? It's what I live for!"

If Hatori would have been one to show much emotion, his jaw would have hit the ground. However, since he wasn't he simply stared at Ayame, "Gomen ne Ayame, but there isn't going to be a wedding. Tohru won't be getting married"

"Oh...well, I'll still be making the dress, I've been itching to make a new one, as has Mine. And, when she gets one of her urges, theres no stopping her!" Ayame looked to Hatori, holding his arms out to take the adorable child from his grasp. "Kaze! How you've grown!"

Kaze cooed once more and blew some spit bubbles before trying to jam his fingers into Ayame's mouth and pulling at his long silver-ish hair with his other little hand. "A'me!" he giggled.

Ayame laughed happily and hugged him. Hatori remained with a plain face, though he was confused. How had Ayame gotten the baby to brighten up so quickly? "Ayame.."

"People just love me Ha-san" He replied, knowing what Hatori was about to ask. "It's a natural gift...if only I could get Yuki to see that" he handed Kaze back to Hatori and placed a hand dramatically on his forehead. "Oh little brother, one day you will see how wonderful I am!"

"One day, but not today" Hatori stood with Kaze.

Ayame sat up, "Why Ha'ri-kun, did you just make a joke?" He looked stunned for a moment. "Oh Hatori, I'm intrigued!" he slid over to the dragon with a devilish smile on his face. "Where did this streak of humor come from?"

Hatori remained silent.

"Why, I haven't heard you make a funny since you dated Kana" He gasped again, "Hatori, are you in love?"

Authors Note: Finally, I've managed to load chapter four onto the site. I want to apologize for such a long wait and I want to thank all those who emailed me and motivated me to get the chapter up at a quicker rate. I've been very busy with college applications and reviewing for SAT's and such and such, so I've not had much time to write. I also want to thank everyone who sat down and took the time to write a review.

Bleeding For a Guy, I'm glad you like Korosu so much! I personally hate him, but he's so fun to write. I'm sorry if I've made you suffer...

SpaceVixon, I haven't made the pairings clear for a specific reason! A Tohru/Hatori fic would be interesting though, wouldn't it?

CutePlushie04, Thank you so much for your emails! I enjoy chatting with you on MSN!