Yuki's hand shook as he retrieved his architecture book from where he had dropped it two days ago. Having angered Akito by attempting to protect Tohru, he had spent the last two days in the room. He was physically and emotionally shattered. He sat and tried to read, but his mind kept wandering away from the page and onto the vision of Tohru as she walked away from him for the last time. He couldn't comprehend life without her- as if all that had transpired the other day was nothing more than another nightmare, but the sickening feeling in the pit of his stomach reminded him that the events he'd envisioned were very real, and that his little family and his dreams for the future were no more.
"Master Yuki", Kureno bowed to him, interrupting his thoughts, "Akito-sama wishes to see you in her chamber", Kureno spoke softly, as always, and retreated without further comment. Yuki stared at him without emotion, then rose dutifully and made his way down the hallway. Akito was sunning herself on the veranda when he arrived. He bowed low and waited, expressionless. "Ah, Yuki", she turned and smiled at him, "I'm so glad you're here. I have something to share with you". Akito was almost jovial. She walked over to Yuki and motioned for him to rise. He did dutifully. "But before I do, I need to know something", she touched a fingertip to his lower lip and ran it down his chin, his throat, and stopped at the first button of his shirt just below his collarbones. "Are you ready to comply with my wishes?", she said in low tones, and played with the top button of his shirt. Yuki neither confirmed nor denied his desires about this, but his eyes narrowed into a hostile glare. "I see", Akito smirked with amusement at his reaction, "Well, perhaps what I have to show you will help matters". "Kureno", she called, and in an instant he was bowing before her. "I'll see her now", Akito said smiling, then she turned to Yuki. "I have someone I want you to meet", she said sweetly. She's a maid who has worked for me for the past three years, or so she thinks". Akito's smile widened.
Just then Tohru stepped into the room, and prostrated herself in front of Akito. "Akito-sama", she exclaimed. Yuki's eyes grew huge at the sight of her, and his heart caught in his throat. "Hello Tohru, dear", Akito said sweetly. "Akito-sama, thank you so very much for paying for my operation", Tohru gushed, still bowing. "Dr. Hatori says the bleeding will stop in a few days, and I will be completely well. I don't know what would have become of me if I hadn't been able to have the procedure", she added. "It's fine, dear", Akito said, obviously enjoying this, "after all, you are like family to me", her grin widened at her own little joke. "Tohru, I have someone I would like you to meet", Akito gestured for her to rise. "This is my consort, Yuki". She draped her arms around Yuki's shoulders and clung there. Yuki ignored her. He was completely focused on Tohru. His gaze was intense as he searched her face for a glimmer of recognition, but there was none to be found. Tohru offered him a hand of greeting as if he were a complete stranger, and blushed suddenly under his scrutiny. "I'm pleased to meet you", she said with a smile, then turned her attention to Akito again. "I have enjoyed my time in your service Akito-sama", she said sincerely, "but my grandfather is ill, and I must return home now to care for him. Please understand". Tohru bowed politely to her. "Of course I understand, child", Akito played along with her story. "If you ever need a reference just let me know". "Well, I must go now", Tohru said, and turned to leave. "It was very nice meeting you", she said to Yuki, and blushed again. She placed a hand on her own hot cheek as she turned to go. It was obvious the blushing was a surprise to her. She didn't know where the reaction was coming from. Yuki's eyes followed her out the door. He was incredulous. "You see Yuki", Akito began, "the plans you were building are all vanished. Your future lies with me now". At this she slipped up to him from behind and encircled him with her arms pressing her body into his. Yuki didn't say anything, but plucked her hands off of him, and walked silently from the room. She watched him go with a smile of triumph. "I can be patient a little longer", she said to no one there.
Yuki walked straight to his room and shut the door, tightly locking it. He turned towards the window with the same forlorn look, and then slowly opened his hand. In it was a small piece of paper folded into a tiny square. Tohru had slipped it to him when she had greeted him. He unfolded the paper, hoping against hope. It was a short note:
Dear Yuki:
Sorry about the masquerade.
Hatori says the baby and I are doing fine.
I love you! Tohru
P.S. It's a boy!
Yuki sucked for air in a huge sigh of relief, then dropped on the bed and laughed quietly while tears streamed down his cheeks.
After her audience with Akito, Tohru had followed Hatori out into the hall. She couldn't put the image of Yuki's pleading eyes from her mind, and it left her uneasy. After all, she was well aware that Hatori was the one who erased memories on Akito's command. But Shigure and Hatori had both seemed so sure that this was the right thing to do. She wanted to have faith in their concern for her and Yuki. Hatori stopped suddenly, "wait here. I have to get my bag", he said solemnly. Tohru stood in the hall and wrung her hands. She hoped she was doing the right thing, but in the corner of her mind she began to wonder in dismay if the baby she carried would be raised without knowledge of its father who she loved so very much. Hatori returned in a white lab coat, carrying his instrument bag. "Let's go", he said simply and brushed past her. Tohru followed obediently, but when they left the house and headed for the car she couldn't help but express her bewilderment. "Where are we going?", she asked him as they entered the car. "To the hospital", Hatori said flatly. He turned the ignition, and they were on their way. Tohru couldn't imagine why they would need the hospital to erase her memory. She couldn't contain her worries any longer. "Hatori, what exactly is it Akito wants from me?", she asked, her voice was full of trepidation. "Akito wants you to have an abortion, and then she wants your memory erased", Hatori said gruffly. He never flinched or made any indication of emotion as he spoke. Tohru's eyes grew huge with shock, "An abortion?", she whispered. "Yes", Hatori continued, "that's why we are heading for the hospital. I figure the only way to get her to leave you and Yuki alone is to give her exactly what she wants". Tohru was devastated and terrified. How could this be- not her baby too? She found herself wanting to run away; to leap from the car to safety, or make some other crazy move of escape. The wheels turned into the hospital parking lot. Hatori picked one of the doctor's spaces near the entrance. He turned off the engine and started to exit the car when he noticed Tohru weeping. "Please don't do this Hatori", she said softly without looking at him, "please don't take my baby". He looked at her expressionless for a moment, and then his eyes showed the slightest pain of empathy for her. "I have no intention of doing either thing", he assured, "but we have to make it look to Akito like I did". Tohru turned her brimming eyes to look at him. Her fear was swiftly replaced by gratitude as she finally understood what his intentions were. "This isn't going to be easy", Hatori's mouth curled slightly, "we are going to have to work hard in order to convince her. Are you up to that?" Tohru wiped her eyes, took a deep breath, and said confidently, "let's do it".
Inside the hospital Tohru was admitted and Hatori escorted her to her room. "We are going to have to work on our story so that we can convince Akito that you no longer have a memory or a baby on board", Hatori instructed, "but for now, let's get an ultra sound and see how that little one is coming along". "Thank you", Tohru smiled peacefully, and lay back on the pillows to rest for awhile.