Disclaimer: If there is anyone out there who thinks that I own Fruits Basket, they should get their head checked. Fruits Basket does not belong to me; it is property of Natsuki Takaya.

A/N: I have a busy month coming up so I apologize in advance if my updates start to become a little less consistent. Sakura-con is coming up in two weeks and then I might be moving within a few weeks after that, but I don't know for sure about that yet, which means if I do move, I'll be that much busier because I'll only have a few weeks notice. So, please be understanding and I'll try to keep up my regular schedule as best I can.

Shadows of Intrigue Chapter 13

Hatori grumbled to himself as he got up to answer the door. He really wasn't in the mood to treat anyone. By helping Kyo and Tohru, he had managed to deprive himself of sleep the previous night. He had then, against his better judgment, taken Tohru to school this morning. When he returned to his own home, he had found Akito not only seeking treatment, but also demanding an explanation as to where he had been and why he had not informed anyone. After Akito left, Hatori spent the day tending to a series of minor ailments that really hadn't required a doctor's attention. All in all, the day had given him a rather unpleasant headache. So, when he heard the knocking on his door in the late afternoon, it was little wonder Hatori was tempted to pretend he was not home. But there was always the chance that there was an actual emergency. Therefore, with a sigh, he threw open the door.

Hatori blinked. On his doorstep was Aiko, her hand raised to knock again. She raised an eyebrow at him and said, "I'm sorry. You weren't expecting me. Are you surprised to see me?"

"I probably shouldn't be," Hatori answered, "But I admit you aren't exactly who I was expecting."

"Oh? You were expecting someone? If this is a bad time, I suppose I could come back later. I just thought we should talk. I figured sooner would be better than later, but if you're expecting someone…."

Hatori shook his head, "That isn't what I meant what I meant. It's been a long, busy day. I was expecting to find someone coming in with some silly complaint. Wanting me to take a splinter out of their finger or put a bandage on a paper cut or something along those lines."

Aiko looked somewhat amused but did not laugh, "Well, I'm sorry to disappoint you. I came to tell you that I got your message. I talked with Tohru after school. So, you're willing to use her as a messenger but not let her know what's going on. She's involved in this, too, you know."

"I know she's involved. I thought we already established that I remember everything just as you do. But I couldn't tell her. I know I would deserve the worst reaction she could throw at me. But I also believe she wouldn't react that way. Tohru, she's the kind of person who would just grin and forgive. I think that just might be the hardest thing to take."

"Is that why you're helping them, then?" Aiko inquired, "You want to feel more worthy of her forgiveness when she finds out what this is all about? That's fine. I thought you might have gotten it in your head that you would be released form the curse because you were helping them. That can't happen. You cannot be released from the curse until everyone is. Every one of the cursed members has to turn away from their supposed leader before any of you can be free. But the fastest way to make that potentially happen would be…."

Hatori caught on, "To allow history to repeat itself."

"To a point," added Aiko, "We don't want it to end the same. If we can change the ending, we can change everything. The leader can be replaced by the one who should have had that title all along. And everyone can go on to live the lives that they choose and that they deserve."

"And if we can't change the ending? The outcome would be worse for you than for most of the Sohmas. Is it really something you want to risk?" Hatori asked cautiously.

Aiko sent him a sharp look and explained, "Not for the Sohmas in general, it isn't. I wouldn't do this to help your family. But it would help my family as well, if it worked. I can't continue to live with the curse of vengeance that my family bears. It weighs as heavily on me as I'm sure your curse does on you. I would like to be rid of it. Maybe, if I was, I could find my way back to more than one person I once cared about, or should have cared about, depending on how you look at it."

Hatori stared at the girl with amazement. If she meant everything she had just said, she was probably one of the strongest people he had ever met. He wasn't really that surprised. After all, he knew her family history as well as his own. His expression softened by a fraction, "If you've made up your mind, we need to figure out what to do next."

Aiko made a motion that appeared to be waving his comment off, "Oh, I've already thought of that. You need to talk to Akito. You need to tell Akito about Kyo's dreams. That should set everything in motion. Once everything has started, it will be up to you to try to convince the other Sohmas not to side with Akito; otherwise, you know as well as I do what will happen. I don't think you want to see that anymore than I do or you would not have let me know that you were trying to seek atonement."

Hatori gave a brief nod, "I'll do what I can. I have a lot to lose if this doesn't work, too."

Aiko left and Hatori leaned back against the wall. His headache had gotten worse. But he couldn't rest yet. He reluctantly pushed himself away from the wall and went to his closet to grab a jacket. He was just about ready to leave for Akito's when there was another knock at the door. Hatori groaned and took off his jacket before going to answer the door.

This visitor surprised him even more than the last one had, "What are you doing here, Kyo? You should be back at Kazuma's resting."

"Where's Aiko?" demanded Kyo, "Tohru said she was here. That girl is nuts! What does she think she's going to do if Akito sees her here and realizes you didn't erase her memory?"

"Aiko's not here. She left a few minutes ago. I don't think you need to worry about her, anyway. She's quite a strong girl. If there's anyone who could stand up to Akito's wrath, it just might be her."

Kyo stared, dumbfounded, as Hatori continued, "I should ask you where Tohru is. Why isn't she with you? You're the one who wanted to stay close to her, to make sure she was okay. So, now you left her to come here by yourself?"

"We had a fight," Kyo mumbled, "I yelled and she shut herself in the room and I just, I needed to do something. So I came here."

"I bet that's part of what you fought about, isn't it? You being worried about Aiko?" Hatori guessed, "You have a lot to learn, Kyo. Aiko's not here. She's fine. I'm busy; I was just about to head out. You should go back to Kazuma's and talk to Tohru. I think that would be the best thing. Oh, and, Kyo? Try not to upset Tohru too much."

Hatori grabbed his jacket again and ushered Kyo out of his house. It was one more thing to worry about, Kyo and Tohru fighting. He watched as Kyo turned in the direction of Kazuma's house and walked off moodily. Then he turned, his own spirits not that much better, and made his way to Akito's house. The whole way there, he tried to encourage himself that what he was about to do was the right thing. He tried to believe it would all work out. He had not managed to convince himself by the time he reached out to knock on the door to Akito's residence.