Disclaimer: I do not, nor will I ever own Fruits Basket.

A/N: I had a tough time getting through this chapter. It just didn't want to be written. It's getting to the point where most of each chapter is leading up to a revelation at the end, so the first part of each chapter is getting kind of hard to write because I just want to focus on the end of the chapters. Anyway, I should have another chapter up next week, but then I might not for a while after that because I will probably be without a computer. So I hope you enjoy and after next week I will try to update again as soon as possible.

Shadows of Intrigue Chapter 16

Tohru walked down the street near the school. She had gotten up early and left Kazuma's house to avoid Kyo. But she had done so without a plan. Now she was left with nothing to do. It really was too early to go to school. With a sigh, she wandered into a little park and sat down on a bench. Looking around, she noticed a vending machine in a covered area off to her left and decided to get herself a beverage. When she had retrieved her can of iced green tea Tohru spun around and ran smack into a man's chest.

In a cloud of smoke the man turned into a seahorse. Tohru cried out, "Ah! Hatori! I am so sorry!"

Tohru was quieted a few moments later as Hatori returned to his human form. She managed to spin away and squeeze her eyes shut before she actually saw anything. That was how she remained until Hatori told her it was safe to turn around again. When she turned around, she stared at him for a minute. She rarely saw him away from the other Sohmas. She wondered what he might be doing out in this park and decided to voice her question.

"Actually, I was on my way to Kazuma's to get you when I saw you here," answered Hatori, "Akito would like to see you today."

"Akito? What about? Do you know?"

Hatori looked incredibly uncomfortable as he responded, "I don't know for sure, but I think Yuki has been called there as well. I guess whatever it is about is relevant to both of you."

Tohru gave Hatori a quizzical look. She had a feeling he knew more than he was telling her, but she decided not to press the issue. She had not really known Hatori to be the type to withhold the truth. Therefore, she concluded, if he felt the need to do so, there must be a good reason. After a moment's consideration she nodded and followed him as he turned to leave. She didn't bother to think up what excuse she might use for missing school. She did not expect whatever business Akito had with her to last long enough to make that an issue.

Her mind was changed not long after she arrived. She was ushered into a room outside of Akito's chambers. There was no sign of Akito or Yuki. Tohru turned to question Hatori but found that he was no longer in sight either. Left on her own, Tohru took the time to inspect the room she was in. It was not a large room, especially when compared to the room in which Akito had previously received her. It was, however, a slightly more furnished room containing a small couch, two chairs, a small table, a few large potted plants and a large Japanese style painting on one wall.

After this inspection, Tohru made her way over to one of the chairs and sat down to wait. She sat for what seemed an eternity, alone in the room. As she waited, her nerves started to falter. She had come along, trusting Hatori's judgment and expecting Yuki's presence. The latter was entirely missing and she was beginning to lose faith in the former. Just as Tohru was making up her mind to go find someone and get some answers, the door opened and Yuki stepped into the room. Upon seeing this familiar face, Tohru began to relax until she realized that Yuki looked even more nervous than she felt.

Yuki, for his part, tried to keep up a calm front. He had no more idea than Tohru as to the purpose of their summons. He didn't know but he had been a guest of Akito's before and didn't imagine that the purpose this time could amount to anything pleasant. He still harbored, and probably always would, a deep fear of this relative of his. With as much tranquility as he could muster, Yuki strode to the other chair and sat himself down, facing Tohru.

The two passed an hour in silence. They sat alone in the room, occasionally glancing at each other but neither one venturing to speak. Neither knew what to say and even if they had been able to think of appropriate things to say, both were too nervous to issue words. The hour in that confining room was one of the most intolerable that either Yuki or Tohru had spent in their lives. It was little wonder then, that when the door opened again, both gave startled gasps and jumped in their seats.

The man standing in the doorway was one that Tohru had seen only on rare occasions before and didn't know much about, though he seemed to be particularly close to Akito. This man, called Kureno, motioned for Yuki and her to follow him. Tohru gulped but stood up to comply. As she reached Yuki's side, he grabbed her hand and gave it an encouraging squeeze. She, in turn, gave him a weak smile that trembled slightly. The two followed Kureno to Akito's quarters, where the head of the Sohma family sat staring out the window, apparently enthralled in watching birds eat from the feeder hung near the window.

At first Akito gave no acknowledgement of their presence. Finally, a glance their way told them they were noticed. At that sign, Kureno retreated from the room. Akito, still silent, got up from the window seat and walked over to sit lazily before Tohru and Yuki. When no word was spoken, the two younger teens glanced at each other before returning their gaze back to Akito.

Tohru cleared her throat, "You wanted to see us, Akito?"

Akito turned to glare directly at Tohru before nodding, "That's right."

"Do you mind my asking why?" she continued, her voice shaking.

Akito divided a look between her and Yuki, and then gave a slight snort, "You have lived with the Sohmas for a while now, haven't you? You know our secret even though you are an outsider. Did you ever wonder why I allowed you to keep your memory after you discovered our secret, when so many others were denied that opportunity?"

"I did use to wonder," replied Tohru, "but I don't have to now. I know the answer. Hatori can't erase my memory."

Akito and Yuki both gaped at her in surprise, but for different reasons. Finally, Akito gave a short, humorless laugh, "So, you remember, do you? And now the cat is regaining his memory as well."

Tohru shook her head, "I don't what you're talking about. I don't remember anything. This is just what I was told."

"But I remember you," Akito interjected, "Yes, I remember, as does Hatori, and apparently that wretched girl who was here with you. I remember you and I remember what was planned for you, what you refused to accept. That was a threat to this family. Now, unknowingly, you threaten it again. I am going to make sure that doesn't happen."

Akito took a step towards Tohru but Yuki jumped in front of her, "I won't let you hurt Miss Honda."

"Hurt her? I don't intend to hurt her, noted she listens to me this time. I want her to join this family. I will not be the head of this family forever. And until the next child with my curse is born, there shall be an interim leader. For that leader, I have chosen you, Yuki and I now offer Miss Tohru Honda the prestige of being the wife of that leader. I will have to two of you wed each other. As of this moment you are betrothed.