Author's Note (1): Again, my japanese sucks. I'll try to keep it to a minimum. Plus, I may get confused with the honorifics. I just hope I got them all right. f not, I hope some of you will let me know.

Chapter 4: Dealing with Akito

Silence reigned like a stifling blanket as Akito languidly looked at the quintet that sat quietly before him. He forced his eyes to move from one person to the other until his eyes rested on the little girl that dared to befriend the Zodiac.

"First, I would like to understand the conditions of the contests that Kyo-kun may challenge Sohma-kun," Tohru asked respectfully.

"Conditions?" Akito frowned as he looked at her respectful pose. He glanced at the zodiac that accompanied her: Yuki, Shigure, Hatori and on a whim, that cursed Cat, Kyo. Though she sat away from them, he felt the protectiveness of the four. They sat respectfully like a protective wall behind her. A protectiveness that annoyed him greatly and it was one that he would rectify soon. He looked at the Cat lazily. "Shame, shame, little Cat. Did you happen to tell this ordinary girl about our deal, Kyo?"

Kyo reddened as looked at Akito. He opened his mouth, but it wasn't his voice. "He told me about the deal, Akito. Not Honda-san."

Kyo blinked as he looked at Yuki incredulously. Yuki sneered at Kyo before looking at Akito. "Well, to be exact, he was berating himself loudly after being beaten by me again. Honda-san and I, and well, the entire household, heard him."

"I wasn't that loud," Kyo protested as he glared at Yuki. "Hey! Are you listening to me?"

"It's hard to not listen to you when you're shouting like that," Yuki glared back.

"I see," Akito said after a moment, appeased. He looked at the Cat again. "Did we place any conditions on your challenges, Kyo? Kyo?"

Sighing, Shigure pulled Kyo back down to the tatami before he could fling himself at Yuki. "Kyo! I think Akito was asking you a question."

Embarrassed, Kyo looked at Akito then answered. "No conditions were placed. I placed some of my own."

"You actually limited yourself against the Rat?" Akito smiled then gave a small laugh. "How very droll! You needed all the advantages you could get, and you still limited yourself!"

"I wanted to win fairly," Kyo started to snarl but stopped when he looked at Tohru's back. He bowed his head down to Akito. "I didn't want any doubt of my win."

"I see," Akito shrugged. He smiled mockingly at the Cat. "As if a stupid Cat could win against my Rat. I guess that answers your question, girl. He limits himself by honor, only challenging Yuki in things that they both know how to do."

"If this is the case, then may I propose a contest between them?" Tohru asked as she looked up.

"Hmm?" Akito asked as he looked at the girl He saw the alert attention her wall was giving her. 'So, they don't know what she wants either?' Intrigued, Akito looked at the girl. No, she looked too stupid to think of anything clever. "What is your contest?"

"It is very simple and I would also like to wager that Kyo-kun would win against Sohma-kun," Tohru said simply as she kept her head down.

"The Cat win against the Rat?" Akito scoffed as he looked at her. "That will never happen."

"It will," Tohru said softly but firmly. "I believe in Kyo-kun and I believe in Sohma-kun. But I also know in my heart of hearts that Kyo-kun will win."

"The Cat will never win against the Rat," Akito said firmly as he glared at the girl. How dare she believe that the Cat could ever win against the Rat! "He is not special!"

"Kyo-kun is special!" Tohru said just as firmly as she looked up, her cheeks blushed. "He is just as special as Sohma-kun! Special but different!"

"He's different all right! He's the only one with that monstrous form!" Akito sneered as he looked at her. "His true form is a monster!"

Feeling his shame and anger start to rise, Kyo tensed and just when he was about to rise, he felt a hand on his elbow. He looked to find Hatori's hand restraining him. He pulled his elbow away and glared at the tatami.

"Yes, Kyo-kun's other form is very scary," Tohru agreed quietly. "But inside he is still Kyo-kun. And he is still as special as Sohma-kun."

Angry that she would dare contradict him, Akito sneered. "Fine then! We will do you contest- and the Rat will win! Now what do you propose?"

Tohru reached inside her jacket and pulled out a video tape. She placed it in front of her and moved it towards him. "That there will be this type of contest will happen between Kyo-kun and Sohma-kun. We would need four judges, who could be of your choosing, with discriminating palates and several utensils from the kitchen."

"What is this? Iron Chef?" Akito asked as he read the video tape label. He frowned as he made out the label again. "What is this? What is an Iron Chef?"

Akito lifted his head up as he heard a choking noise. He saw that girl had her head respectfully down, not moving a muscle, but nothing could be said about her wall. Though they had not moved an inch, he was intrigued by the fact that his zodiac was staring at her. Akito narrowed his eyes to look closely at his zodiac. The Dog was biting his cheek- as if to contain his mirth; Yuki was staring at her with a pained expression while the Cat had his head hanging down low and Hatori… though his face was solemn as always, he but he got the feeling that the Dragon was… amused. "What kind of contest is this?"

"It is a cooking contest," Tohru said simply. "Two chefs go in battle to create the most delicious and most creative meal for the judges. The contest lasts for an hour then the dishes are judged by taste and presentation."

"And points are given to the chefs and the one with most points can say that they have won against the Iron Chef," Shigure said helpfully as he looked at Akito. "They usually have a pretty girl as one of the judges."

"Never mind that," Hatori interrupted as he glared at Shigure. "Chefs from many popular restaurants come to root for their favorite chef. And they have a theme ingredient that the dishes must be based around- anything from like rice to pate."

"I see," Akito frowned, unable to see the point of watching two chefs battle. "However-"

"I ain't doing it," Kyo shouted as he jumped up to his feet again and looked at Tohru. "There ain't no way that I am going to battle with that damned Rat in the kitchen. That ain't a manly way to win."

"But most of the chefs are men," Tohru blinked as she looked at Kyo. "If it's not a manly sport or profession, how come there are so many males that are chefs?"

The Sohma men stared at her as if she had two heads. Rubbing his chin, Shigure slid a mischievous look at Kyo. "She has a point there, Kyo. Many of the great chefs are male- with the exception of Julia Child but then I found her most charmingly mannish in a way."

"Who the hell is Julia Child and what does she have anything to do with this?" Kyo raged as he glared at the Dog.

"Your ignorance is truly shining this day, you stupid Cat," Yuki snorted as he looked at him.

"So the you know who Julia Childs is?" Shigure asked with mild disbelief as he looked at Yuki.

Yuki glared at him as he answered, "She's a chef that cooks food."

"I could have told you that, you dumb Rat," Kyo snorted as he crossed his arms.

Gritting his teeth as he glared at the Cat, Yuki all but snarled, "Who most likely wrote several books on making food."

"And?" Shigure prompted after Yuki stopped talking. At the young boy's glare, he smirked, "Well, I guess that depletes the extent of your knowledge of the woman."

"And I suppose you know more about her?" Yuki said as he looked at Shigure coldly.

"Not as much as he would like you to think that he does," Hatori interrupted as he gave Shigure a look to silence him. "But back to the questions of Kyo-"

"Don't ask me those questions," Kyo snapped back. "I know that I just ain't doing it! This has got to be one of the dumbest ideas-"

"Oh, shut up you stupid Cat," Yuki said as he jumped to his feet.

"Who are you calling stupid, you damn Rat?" Kyo demanded as he started to make a fist.

"Now boys, there shouldn't be any fighting here," Shigure said as he got up to stop any fist fighting. "You don't want to ruin the furniture and pay for it out of your allowances."

"I think that there will be a contest," Akito announced loudly as he looked at the Cat and Rat fighting. He looked at them; a gleeful malice sparkled in his eyes. "In fact, I insist upon it."

The two stopped looking at him and stared. Satisfaction rolled through Akito as he saw their open looks of horror. "I will choose the judges myself. When should it take place? Who chooses the ingredients? Honda-san, what do you think?"

Tohru lifted her head. "I think it should take place in about a month, to prepare them each for the contest. And the theme ingredient- usually it is a surprise but since they are not professionals, would it be fair to tell them it soon so that they can practice?"

"It shall happen by the end of this month. I will decide on the theme ingredient and I will be one of the judges," Akito decided.

"But less than three weeks away!" the Cat protested as he looked at Akito.

"Does the Cat need less time to know that he will lose again?" Akito asked silkily.

Before the Cat could retort, Shigure smacked the Cat down and landed on top of him. "No, the time allotted will be fine, Akito. Isn't it Kyo?"

"Get off of me!" Kyo shouted as he struggled against Shigure's weight. "Get off!"

"Oh, was I heavy?" Shigure's asked innocently as he pulled up the boy to face him and not Akito. He hissed so that only Kyo could hear. "Agree before it gets bad."

"Yeah, you've gained weight again," Kyo snarled as he shoved Shigure away. Red-faced, he sat and turned to look at Akito. "Three weeks is enough time for me to kick the Rat's damn ass."

"There you go, dreaming again," Yuki said mockingly as he thought furiously. 'A cooking contest? Where did she get that idea? Is three weeks enough for me to-'

"And so it goes," Akito nodded then looked at the wall of protectors and waved them away. "Now leave, I wish to speak to the girl alone."

"As you wish, Akito," Yuki said as he rose to his feet. He kept his eyes away from Tohru, knowing that Akito was watching him. By the time he reached the door, his shoulders slumped with worry of what Akito might do to her. 'Please keep her safe.'

Akito was pleased to see that Yuki had left the girl without a backward glance but then frowned slightly as he saw the Rat's silhouette against the paper doors. The proud figure had slumped slightly, perhaps because of the girl?

As they murmured their good-byes to him and not the girl, Akito watched the girl. He saw no sign of fear in her body language or concern on the girl's face though she kept her head down. "You really think that the Cat can win against my dear Yuki?"

"Yes," Tohru said as she lifted her head to look at him. "I believe that he can."

"It would take a miracle for the Cat to beat the Rat," Akito countered.

"Miracles can happen because people believe," Tohru said earnestly.

"Care to tell me why you believe that?" Akito asked as he looked at the girl.

"Because though both can cook, I believe that Kyo-kun can do it better," Tohru said simply.

"And I say that the Cat cannot manage to do that," Akito stated firmly. "You can't seem to grasp that the Rat is special. He can do anything he puts his mind to."

"The Cat is just as special as the Rat," she said firmly. "Both are special and different."

Akito narrowed his eyes. "I think you need to be taught a lesson…Care to wager on the outcome of the battle? What do want if the Cat wins?" His eyes narrowed into slits as he hissed, "Do you want his freedom?"

"Oh no, Akito-sama- I would not think that! I'm not clever enough to think of anything like that!" Tohru said quickly. "I would- I would wish that Sohma-kun must live at Shigure's house until he can defeat Kyo-kun in this contest and that Kyo-kun would live with Kazuma-san until he is defeated."

"And why shouldn't the live together after this battle?" Akito demanded in a soft voice, most like a cobra trying to entice its prey.

"Because Sohma-kun needs to train without Kyo-kun spying on him," Tohru answered simply. "I heard that before he lived with Shigure-san, Kyo-kun disappeared in the mountains and trained intensely for months to get better at fighting- Sohma-kun deserves some time alone if he fails to win the contest."

"I see," Akito said slowly as he looked at her face, a vision of innocence. "These are high stakes, Honda-san. Aren't they?"

"I don't- I don't understand, Akito-sama," Tohru stammered as she looked at the head of the Sohma household. She could hear her heart beating hard against her ribs, she was so scared that she was going to fail both Yuki and Kyo…so scared that she wouldn't. "They would still be on Sohma land and still under your will."

"Just in different cages," Akito purred through narrowed his eyes. "Why not ask if the Cat could be accepted into the zodiac?"

"Because he would wish to prove that on his own and in his own way," Tohru said simply. "He simply would not allow his acceptance into the zodiac like this."

"And why would you ever wish for my dearest Yuki to live with Shigure until he wins this contest?" Akito purred as he closely watched the little girl for a tell-tale squirm or two. Then frowned when he got none. "Would he not better train here, with me watching over his training?"

"Because it is for Akito-sama's safety," Tohru said matter-of-factly. "And Sohma-kun must practice cooking where he could do no harm."

"I see," Akito purred as he looked at her. "And what do you offer when the Rat wins?"

"I will do whatever Akito-sama wishes," Tohru said as she looked down. Akito watched as she struggled to say something else.

"Anything that I wish?" Akito asked delicately as he watched the girl. "Even if I ask for whatever you hold most dear to you?"

He saw her body stay still as a stone before she lifted up her face and surprised him with a fierce look of determination on her face.

'Oh, Mother, it hurts to even think about it, but it must be said.' Tohru clenched her jaw then unclenched it as she said, "Even that. I will offer my memories of the Sohma clan."

"Even your memories? High stakes indeed." Akito looked at her sharply. He approached her slowly then knelt before her and lifted her face with his finger. "But I wish to add another part to the bargain: no matter who wins, you will leave the Sohma clan."

"No-no matter who wins? You wish me to leave?" Tohru stammered. "Leave my home?"

"It is not your home; it is the home of the Sohmas. And you are not a Sohma. I believe that your presence disturbs the peace of my clan," Akito said as he stood up. He looked at the tree outside, his hands behind his back. "All of my zodiac- all of their lives are disrupted by you. They are not…growing the way that is good for them. They are growing…away from the proper path. Do you understand? Is it a deal?"

'The zodiac is not growing the way he wants them to? They are… growing away from proper path? He thinks they are…that they growing away from… him? Is he afraid of them leaving him?' Tohru looked at Akito and noted his rigid posture. 'Do I upset him? Do I scare him?' His hands were clenched into fists... and she finally understood. "Yes, it is a deal."

"Very good," Akito said as he turned to look at her. He walked back to his cushions and reclined on them like a dormant lion. "I am tired of this. You may leave me now."

As Tohru shakily got up and walked to the door slowly, Akito called out her name. When she turned, Akito smiled and said, "Tell Yuki and the Cat that the secret ingredient will be…leeks."

Kyo paced as the others stood still by the inner gate. "What the hell is taking her so damn long?"

"She's been there less than five minutes, Kyo," Shigure said patiently as he looked at the boy. He looked towards the doors. "She should be out any minute now."

"This is taking far too long,' Yuki said as he watched the door with Shigure.

"What made her think of doing an Iron Chef competition?" Hatori asked as he absently touched his left eye. He saw Kyo look at him blankly then looked at Yuki who shrugged.

"I never watch the show though I've heard of it," Yuki admitted then looked at Shigure who was chuckling. "And how do you know of it?"

"I sometimes leave the TV on at night while writing, background noise. It gets interesting once in a while," Shigure smiled as he thought of Tohru then sobered. "After yesterday…instead of sleeping, I'm assuming she saw a repeat of it last night and that's where she got the idea. She's been with Akito for sometime."

"Akito won't do anything to her," Hatori said as he looked at Shigure and the boys. "Very well- I'm going in to see that Akito gets his rest."

As Hatori walked towards the doors, Tohru came out. Immediately, Kyo and Yuki rushed to meet her. "Ano-I'm sorry to keep you waiting-"

"Never mind that!" Kyo snapped. "Are you all right? Nothing happened to you did it?"

"Honda-san, Akito didn't hurt you, did he?" Yuki demanded as he looked at her. 'There's something off-she's not looking at us…something wrong…' "Honda-san, are you-"

Tohru looked at the family she had come to love so much. 'I only have three weeks with them. How can I tell them that I must leave them? How? Do I regret this?' "Ano-"

"Hey! Are you okay?" Kyo demanded as he looked at her. "Are you hurt? Do you want Hatori to look at you?"

"Leeks!" Tohru blurted out. She looked at Kyo fearfully. "The ingredient that everyone must work with is leeks!"

"Leeks!"

As Kyo and Yuki raced to the library to look up leek recipes, Shigure seated Tohru in front of them. "Do you want to tell me what Akito said to you?"

"There is nothing to tell, Shigure-san," Tohru said gently as she looked down at the small table. "He wished to know why I believed Kyo-kun would win against Sohma-kun."

Shigure frowned. "And what did you tell him?"

"I said it was because I believe that Kyo-kun is just as special as Sohma-kun but in a different way," Tohru answered truthfully.

"Yes, I believe that I heard you say that before," Shigure nodded. "What did you ask for if Kyo should win?"

"I asked that Kyo-kun would like with Kazuma-san until he is defeated by Kyo-kun," Tohru said quietly. "Akito-san asked why not for Kyo-kun's acceptance into the zodiac and I said it was because Kyo-kun would not accept a place that way. And that Sohma-kun be- that he be allowed to live here until he defeats Kyo-kun in this-this type of contest."

"I see," Shigure said slowly as he watched Tohru closely. "These are very high stakes. And what if Kyo loses? What did you offer?"

"Anything that Akito-san wished," Tohru admitted. "Including the erasing of my memories."

"What!" Shigure stared at Tohru. "You offered that? But why?"

"I was surprised myself!" Tohru said with a bright smile. "It is because I believe in Kyo-kun. Ano- Please excuse me, I must make supper now before they get back."

"Go ahead, I'll go write a bit," Shigure nodded as he rose from the table. As soon as Tohru was out of sight, he raced towards the phone. "Ayame? Call Hatori- we need to meet at the special place when the children are at school. Usual time. Bye."

"I can't believe she did this," Shigure shivered as he heard humming coming from the kitchen. He walked slowly towards the library, deep in thought.

Author's Note (2): Okay... this is all that was completed so far. I have the ending and most of the middle, but I'm still trying to tweak it up as well as work on my other fics. I'll update as soon as I can. So for now, please enjoy.