The sun felt warm on Yuki's back as he patted the soil around the strawberry plant he had just placed in the ground. "There", he said out loud once the roots were covered. He smiled wistfully as he looked down at the plant remembering a more innocent time in his life that seemed so far away now. He sighed as he grabbed another plant and bent down to dig a hole for it. "Hey", a voice sounded from behind him. He glanced over his shoulder from his crouching position to see Haru standing there grinning. "You have visitors", Haru said, and he stepped aside revealing Tohru standing behind him with Ichiro in her arms. The trowel dropped from Yuki's hand, and he fell forward on his knees with a shocked look on his face. Part of him wanted to run to her and embrace her, and another part, the part that was ashamed of the compromises he was being forced to make, wanted to hide from her. He also knew his true feelings would only put her in danger again, so he sat there frozen, unable to make a move, his face muscles flinching in indecision. But Tohru had no such quandary. Things were very clear in her mind, and she flung herself at her love with tears in her eyes. Ichiro became wedged between his parents as they embraced. Tohru wept openly. Haru's eyes misted over and he had to look away to compose himself.

Tohru and Yuki knelt there clinging to each other, not speaking for a long while until Ichiro became impatient. He began to fuss having tired of being squished between the two of them, although he had assisted in keeping his father from transforming. The parents chuckled lightly at their infant son, and finally Yuki spoke. "He's getting big", he said quietly, almost timidly, and smiled as he took Ichiro in his arms. "Hey big guy", he cooed, "how's my little man?" Tohru dried her eyes and smiled as she looked on. Yuki's love for Ichiro was apparent to her and it warmed her heart. She noticed too he no longer looked pale or gaunt, but there was a deep sadness in his eyes. It reminded her of when they had first met. He had always seemed so solemn then, and at first she hadn't understood why. Over time as Yuki had become more free the hopelessness in his gaze had waned, and eventually been replaced with a sparkle of faith in the future. It seemed that faith had all but disappeared now, and it left her deeply concerned.

"What are you doing here anyway?" Yuki became suddenly aware that this situation was problematic at best. Tohru drew herself up, "I came to see Akito", she said firmly. "I need to talk to her", she added. Yuki looked doubtful, but finally said, "Well, she won't hurt you. I've made sure of that". He looked away as he said it, unwilling to meet Tohru's gaze. "So I've heard", Toru said softly. Yuki turned to look at her with surprise, wondering what she knew about the situation, but afraid of the criticism he might see in her expression. But Tohru's eyes only reflected warmth and love at him, making him want to confess what he saw as his betrayal of her. "Tohru, I…" "So", a steely voice interrupted him. It was Akito. "What a pleasant scene", she said, but the look on her face, which was one of fierce anger, did not match her words or demeanor. She wore an expression of fierce anger. "You want to speak with me?", Akito sneered, "what a coincidence, it just so happens I have some things to set straight with you too". The sneer turned into a frown and then a glare, but Tohru's eyes were on fire, and she didn't back down. "Shall we adjourn to the reception room then?", Akito suggested with false geniality. Yuki handed the baby back to Tohru and dusted the dirt off his pants, and the four of them, followed by Haru went into the house.

Once inside the reception area Akito turned on Tohru. "Now then, I must ask you to keep your dirty hands off of Yuki. He belongs to me", she said, her eyes flashing fiercely as she draped her arms around his shoulders to demonstrate her point. Yuki stood there stiffly, but he did not push Akito away. He didn't dare under the circumstances. His eyes pleaded with Tohru for forgiveness. Tohru looked shocked for a moment but recovered quickly, and returned fire. "Allow me to introduce myself", she began, "I'm Mrs. Yuki Sohma", Tohru countered. She yanked Yuki away from Akito saying" This is my husband, and this", she held Ichiro out in front of her, "is Yuki's son". Her eyes were fierce now. "We want him back", Tohru demanded. Akito didn't hear the last sentence however. She had only heard the words "Yuki's son". She stood transfixed staring at the baby in Tohru's arms. Yuki was immediately on alert at this. He had seen that gaze before. "Yuki's son", Akito echoed unconsciously. Tohru was disarmed by Akito's reaction, and wasn't sure how to act. "May I see him?", Akito asked sweetly, eyes still fixed on the baby. Yuki became alarmed and shouted "NO!" when Akito reached for the child. He lunged towards her, but was stopped by one of a few guards who had entered the room having heard the argument. He grabbed Yuki around the neck while another guard grabbed his arms and held him struggling. Tohru was alarmed now too, but Akito stretched her hands out to her, and she saw no reason to not allow her to hold Ichiro. As the baby changed hands, Akito looked down on him with soft eyes. She smiled a serene, satisfied smile. "My, you're a big boy, aren't you?", she cooed. Tohru dropped her guard at this. Babies did seem to have a way of softening people, didn't they, she thought. After a moment of ooing and ahing over Ichiro, Akito finally turned her attention back to Tohru. "He's beautiful", she said softly. Tohru smiled, "Thank you". "And you're right", Akito continued, "A boy needs to be raised with his father", she said looking back at Ichiro. Tohru's smile widened. She had won, or so she thought. "That is why the baby will be staying here, while you will be leaving", Akito said firmly. Tohru's face fell. She thought she had heard wrong until two guards came and took her by the arms to lead her away. "No!", she cried and lunged towards Ichiro, but the guards caught her and pulled her back. "This baby is a Sohma", Akito shot back at her, "but you are not". "Throw her out", Akito ordered turning her back to Tohru now and lifting Ichiro up in her arms. "No!" Tohru shrieked all the louder, "My baby!". Yuki struggled against the two men that held him. "You promised!", he shouted at Akito, "You gave me your word!" But his shouts were of no avail. Tohru was escorted out screaming with Haru right behind her. Her cries continued to ring in Yuki's ears. Akito stepped towards him with his son in her arms. Yuki shook with rage as she approached. His voice quavered, "You gave me your word!", he hissed at her incredulously. "You said you would leave them alone!", his eyes were fierce. Akito looked at Yuki with slight annoyance. "What are you complaining about?", she countered snidely, "I've gotten your son for you, haven't I?" Then she handed Ichiro to a shaking Yuki and left the room.