Hatori and Yuki rode the entire distance without a word. Yuki tried to think what he could possibly say in his own defense were Akito to question him about being engaged to Tohru. He also thought about Akito's resolve to force him back to the main house after high school graduation. In either event, this summons did not bode well for Yuki. All too soon they arrived. Yuki didn't hesitate, but went right to the room where Akito liked to hold audience.
Akito was on her couch, lying on her side with her back to Yuki, in repose, like a reclining cat. Yuki knelt a few feet away from her and waited. She was silent at first, as if composing herself. "Yuki, how nice of you to come, I hear congratulations are in order" she began without changing position. Yuki's heart froze, but he kept his head bowed and his eyes on the floor. "Congratulations?" he echoed. Akito rolled luxuriously onto her other side to face him. "Yes, of course", she continued. "Your graduation was today, wasn't it?" Yuki exhaled audibly. "Yes", he answered. "And you were Valedictorian of your class, were you not?" Akito tilted her head to one side almost in a simper. "Yes", Yuki answered again. "Well, then I offer you my congratulations. You've done well. You've honored the family". A half smile crossed her lips, and it was obvious from her expression she wasn't through with him yet. She had only begun. "Thank you". Yuki did not look up. He did not show any emotion. He had learned over the years to keep his communications with Akito short and to the point.
Akito pushed herself into a sitting position and turned to face him. "I've missed you Yuki", she said in sinuous tones. She rose to her feet, and crept silently towards him. He remained kneeling, eyes averted. "It's been a long time", she continued. As she did, she cupped her fingers under Yuki's ear and played with his earlobe for a moment, and then started running her fingers slowly through his silver hair. Yuki was used to seeing Akito treat Hatori and Shigure this way, but to be touched in this manner by her was foreign to him, and he was quite sure he didn't like it, in fact he was repulsed, but he didn't move. She raised his chin with her other hand so that he was looking up at her. She was standing very close. "Get up", she commanded. "Let me take a look at you". Yuki obeyed, and stood stiffly before her. She looked appreciatively at him for a moment, and then circled him slowly. Yuki felt awkward at best being perused so thoroughly, but he stayed still; looking straight ahead as Akito took stock of him. "You've matured, Yuki. You're a man now, aren't you?" She smiled at Yuki greedily. Her eyes held a look he had not seen there before, and he wasn't sure how to read it.
Akito stepped towards the window, turning her back to him. There she held out a hand and a small brown and yellow sparrow flitted to her and landed on her outstretched finger. She did not speak for some time, but left Yuki standing there mute, while she played with the bird. Finally she gave the bird a gentle toss and it fluttered away. "It's time for you to come home Yuki", Akito said in quiet tones; her back still towards him. "It's time for you to take your place at my side, and stay here- with me- forever". "So this is it", thought Yuki. He knew from previous threats that this day might come, but he had prepared. All those years slaving at his school work- being so meticulous about it- being student body president, becoming valedictorian, all of it had been aimed at this moment. He cleared his throat.
"I have been accepted at the University", he said simply. Akito turned to face him with a jerk. Her eyes narrowed, and her simpering tone disappeared. "You applied without permission?" Akito's voice was edgy, and full of indignation. Yuki didn't move. He didn't flinch. "It was meant to be a surprise", he continued. "Well", Akito said haughtily, "that it is", and she folded her arms in front of herself, glaring at him. "I've been accepted to the school of architecture on full scholarship", Yuki continued. "I believe the family could use its own architect". He had calculated this as well. The Sohmas owned vast amounts of property, some developed, and some not. They were constantly acquiring more. Yuki had worked to select a career which would place him in many years of school, but that would also be enough of an asset to the family to compel Akito to allow him to continue his education. Akito had a strong enough business sense to realize the advantage of letting Yuki pursue his proposed degree. "Excellent", she replied without mirth. "You can do this while living here". Her voice was cold and steely. Yuki persevered, hoping he wasn't pressing his luck. "I would finish faster if I could go full time and live near campus" he reasoned. "The university is on the other side of the city. The commute would impair my studying". This sounded like a logical argument on the surface at least. However, it suddenly seemed like a long shot that Akito would ever agree to this now, and Yuki wished he had thought it through a little more thoroughly.
Akito was silent for what felt like an eternity. She paced quickly across the floor with her arms folded, and stopped to look at Yuki several times in the process. She shot questions at him like "how long will earning the degree take?" "Four or five years minimum, with perhaps two more to complete a master's degree". Yuki knew it was no use to lie about this. Akito knew full well the answer already. "And perhaps a year or two inbetween for an internship", Yuki added, and then he fell silent, waiting for Akito's decision. Finally, she stopped pacing. She slowly turned towards Yuki. She was smiling a sly smile as she approached him. "I hear Miss Honda is getting married soon, is that correct?" Akito's smile grew a little wider. Yuki's mind raced again. Why had she changed the subject? "Yes", he answered without emotion. "What a tragedy for you", Akito said in mock sympathy. "You must be beside yourself with grief". She touched Yuki's cheek with her palm and coaxed him to focus on her. Their eyes met. She was clearly enjoying this. "So now you want to run away from it all by going to school?" Akito questioned. "The poor, lonely boy has turned into a poor lonely man, haven't you"? Yuki thought she might snicker, and he felt the color rise in his face as she mocked him. "They all leave you, Yuki, when will you realize this? It is how people are- selfish, greedy, maniacal". Her eyes had glazed over a bit now, and they did not focus on him anymore, but rather some place beyond him. "But you don't have to be alone, Yuki". She laced her fingers through his hair again. "I will always be here for you". She wore a crazed expression now, one that Yuki had seen many times over the years he had been abused by her. The emotions and fears of the past welled up inside him, but he stayed still and expressionless. He had to keep from panicking.
Suddenly she released him. Akito turned her back on him once more and paced a short time. Then she turned dramatically, signaling to Yuki that she had made her decision. "I will allow this on one condition", she stepped slowly towards Yuki as she spoke. He held his breath. His whole future hung on that moment. Akito drew near to him, cupping his face in her hands, and pressing her mouth close to his ear. She whispered, "You must promise to come visit me one weekend a month. If you fail to do this even once, you will be brought immediately home and your schooling career will be over." She greatly emphasized the last word. Her breath was hot, and her lips brushed his ear as she spoke, causing the hair to stand up on the back of Yuki's neck. Akito released him and said firmly, "Do you understand?" Yuki was ecstatic, but knew better than to show it. "Yes", he replied simply. He had bought himself some more time.
Yuki was forced to linger at the main house for the rest of the day. Akito never let him out of her sight. It seemed she wanted his attention exclusively, and he had given it to her, being careful to please, rather than upset her. He didn't want to loose what he had gained. Finally, long after dinner, Hatori came to escort Yuki home. Again there was little conversation between them until they were almost there. "You're smarter than I was, Yuki". Hatori spoke as if Yuki would understand his meaning at once. "Come again?" Yuki said, perplexed. "You're handling things between Tohru and you much better than I did with Kana". Yuki didn't speak. His mind was racing. Did Hatori know, if he did, then how? Who else had figured it out? The tires crunched on the gravel drive of Shigure's house, and Hatori put the car in park. "Be careful", He said to Yuki with the expressionless face he always wore. Their eyes met in an exchange of understanding. Yuki offered a thank you for the ride home, and climbed out of the car a little shaken.
The house was dark and silent. Yuki slid the door open as quietly as he could in order not to disturb any of its occupants. He slipped off his shoes, but did not turn on any lights. Things seemed very still as he walked into the living room. "Yuki?" a voice cried out in the darkness. Suddenly, a soft form came hurling towards him through the shadows. "Yuki!" the voice was more enthusiastic this time. "Ah!" Yuki exclaimed as Tohru threw her arms around him. There was a sound like a champagne cork being extracted, and a puff of smoke, and he found himself looking up at her from the vantage point of his rat form, about six inches from off the floor. "Oh, I'm so sorry!" Tohru exclaimed. "I was just so happy to see you, I didn't think". She reached down and scooped up Yuki in her hands. "That's alright", he said, "but I thought you would be at Hanna-san's tonight". Tohru was now cuddling his fuzzy body against her cheek. "Well, we did go out to lunch, but I was pretty upset. I finally told them that maybe we had better try for another night- I was just so worried". She brought Yuki to her eye level. "I thought you might be in danger". Her eyes were so full of concern. It melted Yuki's heart when he saw her like this- so intent on his happiness- asking so little for herself. "But you're alright aren't you. You're not hurt?" Tohru continued. "No, I'm fine", Yuki said, then there was another loud "pop" and he was back to his human form, minus his clothes. "Ah!" Tohru exclaimed and turned away hiding her face in her hands.
While Yuki dressed, he explained about Akito, and how he had narrowly escaped being forced back to the main house. "But she agreed to let me attend the university, so for now…", "for now we can stay together", Tohru finished his sentence. She was happy, he could see that, but her words belied her more worrisome thoughts; that their separation had merely been postponed, not thwarted. "Maybe over time she'll relax in her possessiveness", Yuki offered, "or maybe if I am successful, she will have to relent, and let me live my life". He said this as he looked into Tohru's beautiful eyes. He hoped his words would bring peace to her mind. She smiled warmly at him, "You will be successful, I know it". Yuki smiled back at her. She had so much faith in him; he could never bear to fail her.
"There was something odd about today though", Yuki's eyebrows knit together as he tried to surmise what had bothered him. "Akito was…different towards me". "Kinder?" Tohru offered hopefully. "No", Yuki was quick to answer. He thought again of Akito's covetous expression when she looked at him, how she kept touching him, how she stood so close to him, and her hot breath on his ear. He shuddered, and forced those thoughts from his mind. "Well, it doesn't matter", Yuki said, focusing on Tohru again. "You're unharmed. That's enough for me", Tohru smiled. "And", Yuki added, "In just a few weeks we'll be married. I can't wait!" With this, he hoisted Tohru into his arms as if he would carry her over the threshold, but instead, took her up the stairs to the landing where he set her back on her feet. She let out a yelp, and then giggled all the way. As she slid down from his arms, she landed with her hands on his shoulders; his on her waist. They stood there for a moment, noses almost touching, feeling the pull of the energy between them, like north and south on two magnets right before they collide. "Goodnight", Yuki said softly without moving. "Goodnight" she replied, following suit. They stood there a moment longer. Yuki slowly raised her hand to his lips, never breaking eye contact, and pressed a kiss to it. Then, in an act of great self restraint, he backed away from her, and they parted, each to their own bed.