Disclaimer: Fruits Basket is the property of Natsuki Takaya. I have no claim to it.

A/N: Hey everyone. Things are settling down again here so hopefully the updates will be a little more consistent. Anyway, like I said last time, this chapter reveals a little bit more about Aiko. And it contains some strong language. I didn't realize how strange it would be writing scenes with Aiko and Akito. But their names are kind of similar so I have to be careful that I put the right name in the right place.

Shadows of Intrigue Chapter 8

That afternoon, Tohru led the way as she and Aiko headed off towards Hatori's place at the main house. Aiko was trying to be friendly and make small talk but Tohru, for some reason, found she wasn't in a particularly chatty mood. She didn't know what to say. She knew she should try to be nice and make friends with Aiko, especially since Kyo seemed to be so interested in the girl. They were likely to be spending some time together whether they liked it or not. It would be more pleasant for everyone if she and Aiko got along. But there was something nagging at the back of Tohru's mind; something she didn't like about the new girl. She couldn't put her finger on it. It wasn't as if Aiko had done anything in particular to offend her. The only things did were participate in class and talk to the other students, predominantly Kyo.

They had been walking for a while when Aiko turned to Tohru and commented, "You're not very talkative, are you?"

"Huh?" Tohru answered, "Oh! I'm sorry. I know I'm being kind of rude. I'm usually a lot more talkative than this. Ask anyone at school. I just don't really know what to say to you. And I've got some things on my mind right now, I guess."

"You don't really like me, do you?"

"Oh, no! That's not it. That's not true," Tohru flushed, wondering exactly how Aiko knew what she had been thinking. It made her kind of nervous.

But Aiko laughed, "It's okay. I know what's wrong. You don't like me because you're jealous. You like Kyo, don't you? You don't have to worry. I'm not trying to steal Kyo away from you. I'm not sure I could even if I wanted to, which I don't. There's actually this other guy that I think I kind of like, but I haven't seen him in a long time. But Kyo has questions that I might be able to help answer. That's the only interest I have in him, I swear. So you don't have to hate me. In fact, I hope you don't because I really do want to be friends with you. Maybe someday, you'll understand and want to be friends with me, too."

Tohru felt a strange weight lift off her shoulders but she was also embarrassed by what Aiko had said, "I don't hate you! And I'm not jealous. At least, I don't think I am. Even if I was, you said you aren't interested in Kyo. So why should I hate you? I do want to be friends with you, too. I was just, well, okay, maybe I was a little bit jealous. But I shouldn't have been. Kyo and I aren't going out or anything. We're just friends."

"I'm willing to bet that sometimes you wished you were more, huh?"

Tohru was saved from the embarrassment of having to answer that question by their arrival at the Sohma main house. She stopped in front of the gate and turned to see Aiko's reaction. The other girl raised one eyebrow but didn't seem to be terribly impressed. Tohru was surprised; most people were somewhat awestruck the first time they visited. Aiko merely smirked and tilted her head, indicating that Tohru should lead on.

Aiko followed Tohru through the gate and along the path to their destination. As they reached the door to Hatori's house, they were surprised to have it open up right in front of them. It was not Hatori at the door, though. It was Momiji, on his way out. He had left school before them and beaten them here. He knew they were coming and that it was a private meeting, so he was headed off to visit Kisa and Hiro. Before leaving, however, he told the girls that they were supposed to wait in Hatori's office. Hatori was treating Akito but he would be with them as soon as he could.

They didn't have to wait long. About two minutes after they sat down in the office, the door opened and Hatori walked in. When he saw Aiko, he gave a little, ironic half-smile and said, "So, you must be Aiko. I've been looking forward to seeing you."

Aiko's expression was unreadable as she replied, "I should have guessed. I knew I'd run into you eventually anyway. Why exactly did you want me to come here? It was your idea, wasn't it?"

"I just wanted to ask you some questions," Hatori responded, "By the way, you can call me Hatori."

Tohru was getting very confused. Hatori and Aiko were talking to each other as if they knew each other but they were also introducing themselves. It didn't make sense. Neither did it make sense that the two might actually know each other. None of the other Sohmas has shown any sign of having really known Aiko before she showed up at school. Sure, Kyo had said there was something familiar about her, but he had also said that he couldn't remember having actually met her before. But if Hatori knew her, it seemed that the other Sohmas should, too. And Aiko should have known his name.

Tohru's thoughts were interrupted when the door opened again. Akito stood frozen in the doorway, his eyes wide with surprise at the sight of Aiko. Aiko, in turn, was shooting a venomous glare back at Akito.

"You!" shouted Akito.

At the same time, Aiko demanded, "Why is he here? Did you bring me here to face him? That filthy, disgusting bastard? You know what he did to my family."

Akito grinned a wicked grin at that, "I think it makes more sense for me to ask what you're doing here. After all, I'm the head of this family. I belong here. You're on my property."

"You knew she'd come eventually, Akito. You've known since Tohru started living at Shigure's house," stated Hatori, then, turning toward Aiko, he added, "I did not bring you here to meet with him. It's a coincidence that I happened to be treating him when you arrived."

"Why do you bother treating such a rotten piece of shit? You haven't changed at all, have you? You're still willing to be dragged along by him. Then don't expect to be spared from my hatred."

Tohru and Hatori both stared at Aiko in shock. But Akito merely raised his eyebrows, "My, what a low opinion you hold of me. I would say I'm looking forward to whatever you have planned for us, but I'm afraid it won't happen. Hatori, take care of it. You know what to do." On that note, Akito left to go rest in his own house.

Hatori took a step towards Aiko. Tohru knew what was coming. Akito had ordered Hatori to erase Aiko's memory. She wanted to stop him. She and Aiko were just becoming friends and she wouldn't be able to answer Kyo's questions and she might forget about the guy she liked. But there was nothing Tohru could do. Akito had given an order and Hatori had to follow it. She glanced nervously at Aiko.

Aiko began to laugh, "And what do you think you're doing, Hatori? Trying to erase my memory? That isn't going to happen. You know very well you can't do it. You know because you can't erase your own memory. You've tried, haven't you? Well, I'm like you. I'm immune to that little trick. My memory stays just as it is."