"I hate this", Yuki said with disgust. He had his overnight bag in one hand, and his book sack in the other. He had had no idea how difficult it would be to leave once a month when he had agreed to Akito's demands. "It will be alright", Tohru soothed as she straightened his collar. "Ah, don't forget your history book", she said anxiously and retrieved it from where Yuki had been studying the night before. Yuki watched his sweet little wife as she fussed over him. He felt like his heart would break at having to leave her alone even for a few hours. Tohru handed him the book and saw the expression on his face. "It's only for the weekend", she pointed out, "don't forget, it could have been forever" she reminded him. Tohru's large eyes searched his for understanding. Yuki sighed and cracked a half smile. Of course she was right- as always. Just then there was a knock on the door. "Hatori-san, come in!", Tohru greeted cheerily as she answered it. "It's been awhile", Hatori said to Tohru in his usual cryptic manner. He bowed politely to her and then turned to Yuki. "Are you ready to go?" he asked without emotion. Yuki nodded. "Don't forget to lock up at night", Yuki reminded Tohru, "and don't let any strangers in", he added for emphasis. Tohru chuckled. "You act as if I've never been on my own before", she smiled, and stole her arms around her husband's neck. "Be good", she said to him quietly with a gentle kiss. Her eyes finally showed a flicker of sadness in them, but she then dismissed it quickly in her indomitable way. Tohru stood on the balcony and waived to them as they drove off. She stayed there until the car was out of sight, then she slowly turned to go back inside, but before doing anything else, she checked the front door to see that it was locked.
Neither Yuki nor Hatori said much on the drive. Neither of them was very good at small talk. Yuki briefly told him about his classes, and Hatori gave Yuki a quick run down on Akito's condition as of late. "She's in a good mood today", he offered, "I think it is because you are coming", "but don't let her stay outside too much. Her immune system is running low, and I don't need her to catch anything". Before long they arrived at the family compound. The car doors slammed announcing their arrival in the quiet of the place. Yuki stared at the gateway, expressionless for a moment, and then he remembered something. He quickly removed his wedding ring and tucked it into the pocket of his trousers. As he approached the main house, he felt the nakedness of his left hand without the ring, which matched the emptiness in his soul without Tohru at his side.
In the reception area Akito greeted a kneeling Yuki. He had not deposited his bags as of yet, but had dutifully gone straight to see her. "Yuki, it's that time already?", she smiled, obviously very glad to see him. Yuki stiffened at the sound of her voice. Even though her tones were cheery, he knew full well not to trust that. Her moods turned dark so easily. Yuki always had to be on guard lest he should upset her and end up punished in a hugely disproportionate way. "I've come as I promised", Yuki offered simply, his head still bowed. "Welcome home", Akito spoke in sinuous tones bidding Yuki to rise. "Home?", Yuki thought ironically . Home to him was now with Tohru in the place he had just left behind; He became keenly aware of the strange and uncomfortable masquerade he was going to have to keep up in the name of freedom.
Akito rose from her cushioned seat, and minced towards him slowly. Once close enough, she draped her arms around Yuki, and pressed him close to her. Putting her mouth close to his ear, she said, "I missed you" in low tones. Yuki tensed at her touch. He couldn't trust it, and he didn't want it. As she released him, she ran her hands down his chest; her lips curled in satisfaction. "Well, let's have you put your things away, shall we, and then we can visit". Akito's smile widened, but there was no mirth there. She motioned to a maid nearby. "Show Master Yuki to his room", she commanded, "then come back and tell me about your college life", she added to Yuki a little too sweetly. He gave her a polite bow, but said nothing. There was something disconcerting about the manner in which Akito had started treating him as of late. It bothered Yuki no end, but there was little he could do about it. He hoped if he ignored it, it would go away.
Yuki dutifully followed the maid to his quarters. It was not the room he was used to, but one that was extravagant in décor and accoutrements by comparison. He wondered how he had rated the nicer suite. "Hey", a familiar voice sounded in the doorway. Yuki turned to see Haru grinning at him as he put his things away. "Nice digs", Haru added. "Yeah, I don't get it", Yuki said bewildered. "I was expecting my old room". "Well, you've obviously come up in the world", Haru joked, but Yuki didn't feel like laughing. "I'd better get back before Akito gets upset", Yuki said dutifully. "Well, come by my place later and see me if you get a chance", Haru offered. Yuki nodded in agreement and pushed past him and down the hallway.
When Yuki returned he found Akito sitting on the porch playing with a familiar brown and yellow sparrow. His presence startled the bird and it took flight as he entered. Akito motioned for him to sit with her. "So, tell me about college", Akito queried once Yuki had sat down. "Is it what you hoped for?", she asked pointedly, as if she were probing for something. "Well, it is a lot of work", Yuki started, a little wary," but I enjoy it. It's interesting". As he spoke, Akito quietly took his left hand in hers. She tried to be discreet, but Yuki knew what she was looking for. Akito examined the back of his hand as Yuki continued to talk about the subjects he was taking. He hoped she wouldn't notice the slight indentation his wedding ring had left behind on his finger. But Akito showed no sign of recognition of it; she seemed unruffled by the sight. "And what about your classmates", Akito let go of Yuki's hand and focused on his face now. "Are you making any friends?" Yuki was taken aback. It was an odd question for Akito to pose. She had always made it plain that she felt he was incapable of making or keeping friends "Um, well, I have been placed in a study group with a few others in my Architecture class. I guess I work with them pretty regularly", he stammered. "And how about girls", Akito pressed, "Are there any interesting girls there?" she tried to conceal her stealth with a sweet exterior, but Yuki thought he knew where this was going now. "Um, there are some who would obviously like my attention", Yuki felt uncomfortable talking about this, "but I have no desire to give it to them", the color rose in his face a bit. He was purposefully understating the interest he had aroused in the female student body at the university. "I am there to study and learn", he said resolutely, "I have no interest in the other stuff". One side of Akito's lips curled upward. So far he was giving her the right answers- exactly what she had hoped to hear. Just then Hatori interrupted them. "Excuse me", he bowed politely, "but it's time for Akito's examination", his low voice was completely devoid of emotion. "Hatori, what a bore. I'm tired of being poked and prodded all the time", Akito complained, but rose dutifully. Hatori was expressionless and silent. "Well, enjoy your afternoon Yuki", we can continue our conversation later" Akito said sweetly. Yuki watched the two of them exit. "No shots this time right?", Akito asked warily. "I can't promise that", Hatori replied. Their conversation faded as they turned the corner to the hallway. "Yuki let out a breath of relief. "Well, I guess I'll do some studying then", he said to himself, and he rose and made his way back to his room.
"I can't talk long", Yuki said hastily. "I just wanted to see how you were doing". "I'm fine", Tohru answered, he could hear the smile in her voice, "but I didn't sleep well. I guess I'm not used to being alone at night anymore", she said sweetly. "Yeah, me neither", Yuki admitted with a little grin. "I'd better go before Akito finds me on the phone. I'll be home after dinner", he offered, "I love you". "I love you too". Yuki put down the handset feeling a little better after talking to her, but a little worried that he might have been overheard.
It was Sunday morning. He had survived the evening with Akito, but he still had to get through one more day, then it would all be over for another month. Everything went pretty well until right before dinner. Yuki was studying, very deep in thought. His concentration showed plainly on his face. Akito, a little bored, put down her book and sidled up to Yuki. "What is it you're doing?", she asked with annoyed curiosity. "Trying to understand scaffolding and flying buttresses", Yuki answered, the fatigue showing on his face. "We have another test tomorrow", he added. Just then a maid brought tea. "It's time to take a break", Akito suggested, and she motioned to him to come to the table with her. Yuki rubbed his eyes, and followed. He did need a break. They settled across the table from each other, and began their tea time. Yuki relaxed a bit and realized how stiff he felt. He gripped the back of his neck and squeezed where the pain was settling in his muscles. Akito watched him intently. "You've been pushing yourself too hard", Akito said soothingly with a half smile. Yuki caught her gaze. Her expression was indiscernible, causing Yuki to be on guard. "Why are you doing this to yourself?", Akito sipped her tea quietly and then continued. "Are you still running away from your love loss?" her eyes seemed like they would burn right through him and expose his soul. Yuki didn't respond. He wasn't sure what to say, so he sipped the tea uncomfortably. Akito rose slowly from her place. "It pains me to see you so exhausted unnecessarily", she said, and approached him as she spoke. She settled into the spot next to Yuki looking a little wild eyed underneath her façade of concern. He leaned away from her instinctively, and became keenly focused on her every move. "You don't have to do this Yuki", she soothed again, and moved closer. "You don't have to suffer so". Akito reached a hand up and Yuki flinched anticipating a blow, but instead she gently brushed the hair from his eyes. "Stay with me", Akito said in a low voice, and leaned in closer to Yuki. He was sure he hadn't heard her right. He didn't understand her intention. Akito repeated her proposition, "Stay here with me. Forget about school, there's no reason for you to slave like that. I want you here with me", Akito drew closer as if she might…kiss him? "Stay by my side. You'll have everything your heart desires". Her eyes smoldered, and she was very close now. Yuki found himself standing up. "I", he began very shocked, "I have to do this", he tried to compose himself. "This is something I need to do, for myself", he blurted out, then froze, not sure how his words would be received. He watched as annoyance and amusement played on Akito's face, wondering which one would win her over. Finally a knowing smile spread across her lips. "You're still healing", she said almost to herself. "Alright, if it's time you need, I can be patient…for awhile".
Yuki wasn't sure how he had made it through dinner. He was quite shaken by what had transpired that afternoon. He managed to sneak a visit to Haru and explained to him what had happened. "I'm used to being her punching bag, not her…", Yuki couldn't say it. "Lover?", Haru offered bluntly. Yuki shuddered at the thought. "Akito is always a mystery", Haru offered, unruffled by Yuki's story. "It'll pass Yuki", he counseled, "next time you come she'll be on a jag about something else". "I hope you're right", Yuki said, but his instincts told him differently.
Soon it was time to return home. When Yuki caught sight of Tohru on the balcony of their little apartment, he felt he had never been so glad to see anyone before in his life. "Yuki!", she waived, and she ran down the stairs to meet them. Yuki wanted to throw his arms around her and hide for awhile from all his fears, but he settled for holding her shoulders and pressing his cheek against hers. "Are you alright?" Tohru asked with deep concern. She sensed Yuki's turmoil. "I'm fine", he sighed, "I'm just really glad to see you". He kissed her gently, his eyes full of gratitude for being home. "See you in another four weeks", Hatori offered in his basso voice. Then he got in the car and drove away. The two made their way back inside. "So tell me all about your weekend", Tohru said chipperly and took Yuki's bag from him. Yuki was thoughtful a minute as he took a seat. "Nothing much to tell", he lied. "It was pretty uneventful, just a lot of talk and studying". He decided not to burden her with Akito's proposition to him. Perhaps Haru was right and it would all be forgotten by his next visit. He just wanted to pretend it had never happened. "So what did you do with yourself while I was gone?", he said as he pulled Tohru onto his lap. She giggled and planted a kiss on his nose. "You missed", Yuki teased and pointed to his mouth. Tohru smiled, and slowly brought her lips to meet his.
"So you thought you could get away with this", Akito's teeth flashed white in the shadows as she sneered at him, "You thought you could find happiness?" Her eyes were fierce, and her mouth stretched large into a sardonic smile; a long blade glinted in her hand. Yuki was frozen with fear, unable to move or call out. His heart beat wildly within his immobile frame. "Yuki!", a scream pierced the darkness, and his view widened to show Tohru struggling nearby as Hatori, expressionless and stoic, held her by the arms. "Say goodbye to your future plans", Akito smirked, then slowly raised the knife and plunged it forcefully into Tohru's Abdomen. She screamed in agony, and her warm blood splattered over Yuki's face. With Herculean effort he forced his mouth to form the word; willed his voice to cry out, "NOOOOO!"
Yuki shot up in bed, sweat dripping from his temples. He struggled for breath as he realized he had been dreaming again. He reached over and flipped on the lamp on the nightstand. He needed light. He needed to dispel this dark specter of his sleep. His focus quickly turned to Tohru who was sleeping peacefully beside him. He threw back the covers and laid his hand gently on her tummy, which had already begun to swell with the new life inside. The newlyweds had remained true to the marriage agreement, which forbade them to prevent pregnancy for the first year of marriage. Grandpa was serious about seeing his great grand children, and Yuki and Tohru had proved to be a fertile combination. This was very much a honeymoon baby.
Tohru stirred at his touch, "Yuki", she said sleepily, "Are you alright?" "I'm sorry", he whispered to her", go back to sleep". He reached up a hand and stroked her cheek . She blinked at him in the bright light, "another nightmare?", she asked putting a hand on his arm. "It's nothing", he reassured her, "you rest". Tohru smiled at him with half opened eyes, and snuggled under the covers again. Yuki got up quietly and went to the bathroom. After splashing cold water on his face, he leaned over, gripping the sink, and peered into the mirror at his reflection. He tried to will his breathing to slow, and his pulse to stop racing. "It's just a dream. It's just a dream", he repeated to himself forcefully, but in the back of his mind he couldn't help but wonder if this dream was an omen, a harbinger of things that awaited. Or was it just the anxiety in him that he had finally found happiness, but felt it could so easily be broken or taken away, and the even deeper feeling that he didn't really deserve what he had found.
It took some time for Yuki to calm down, but he finally slid back into bed, trying not to disturb Tohru. He flipped off the light, but after a moment the darkness seemed thick to him like it was closing in on all sides, smothering his breaths; that it would envelop him at any moment, and he would be lost to it forever. It was too like the hopeless darkness he had endured at the hands of Akito for so long. He finally turned the lamp back on, where it stood by the bed for the rest of the night, like a sentinel, warding off the dark visions that plagued his sleep.