Disclaimer: I do not own Fruits Basket or any of the characters from the series.

A/N: Sorry I haven't written in awhile. I have been doing a bit of traveling. For those who don't know, I'm spending a year in Japan. Now that I have vacation, I'm traveling like crazy and will continue to do so, for probably the next month. So, the rest of summer may not have regular updates either. I'm really sorry about that.

Shadows of Intrigue

Chapter 20

Kazuma's warning had just left his mouth when a figure materialized next to Kyo. Kazuma's eyes grew wide and Kyo tensed. He didn't need to look to know who now stood next to him. The voice in his ear confirmed that it was Akito.

"Hello, cousin," Akito said, voice dripping with disdain, "How have you been? I hear you've been having a bit of trouble sleeping lately. Why didn't you tell me? Maybe I could have done something to help. You know how concerned I am about the welfare of this family."

"You know damn well why I didn't tell you. You're part of the dreams. You, you k-killed…and anyway, what would you have done to help? Had Hatori erase my memory? As horrible as the nightmares are, I prefer to remember. Someone should know the truth. And I know what your idea of concern for my welfare is. It means locking me up for most of my life, away from human contact. At least I now know why you show so much 'concern,'" Kyo's response started in fury but ended in a strangely calm voice.

Akito gave a short laugh, "Yes, you know why now. You know too much, actually. But it wouldn't do any good to erase your memory now. Even if I did, there are still others who know. Hatori and those two girls."

Kyo froze, "Two girls? Tohru knows? I told her about part of the dream but she doesn't know about how the curse started or what lead to the scene in the woods."

"Oh yes she does. I showed her. I let her see what you have seen. Now you have one more thing in common. You share a memory neither of you should have."

Kyo felt his anger rise, "You showed her! You made her watch her own death! And you call me a monster. You're the monster. Only a monster would do something like that. I may change shape, but at least I'm not completely heartless."

"That's funny," Akito remarked with a cold grin, "She said almost the exact same thing, calling me a monster while defending you. She has more spirit than I gave her credit for. She was quite fearless when we…talked today. The things she said to my face; I think you might have liked some of it. For showing such courage, I admire and hate her. But she also insulted me by rejecting the husband I chose for her from my own family. So, my hatred wins out in the end."

"Where is she? What did you do to her?" demanded Kyo.

Akito looked Ko straight in the eye, "I haven't done anything to her, except show her the past. At least I haven't, yet. As to where she is right now, I can't tell you for sure, but I know where she will be. I'm on my way there now. I want you to come along with me."

Before Kyo could reply, his arms were caught behind his back. Glancing over his shoulder, he saw that it was Kureno who restrained him. Kyo tried to struggle but, at that moment, Kureno seemed to possess an almost super human strength. It didn't help that Kyo's thoughts were not entirely on his fight, but divided by a fear for Tohru, memories of the nightmares, and the conversation still going on between Akito and Kazuma. As hard as he tried, Kyo couldn't focus all of his thoughts and energy into his struggle against Kazuma. He stopped resisting as the conversation between Akito and Kazuma became more clear.

"I don't care if you are the head of the family," Kazuma was saying, "I won't allow you to come to my house and behave this way. Let Kyo go. He is my son, he belongs here."

Kyo's eyes widened at Kazuma's words but Akito made a small snorting noise, "Your son? He is not really your son and even if he were, I still wouldn't understand why you would go through so much trouble for him. He is the cat, an outcast. He should be grateful I let him alone for this long."

Before Kazuma could reply, Kyo cried out, "Grateful! You think I should be grateful! I know the truth now, remember? Why should I be grateful that you took what was mine, more than once?"

At a nod from Akito, Kureno covered Kyo's mouth. Enough people know the truth already. There was no need to involve a non-zodiac member of the family, especially one who had a soft spot for the cat. With another nod, Akito instructed Kureno to start dragging Kyo away.

Kazuma stepped forward, glaring at Akito, "I know you don't understand why I care about Kyo, but if you're going to drag him off, will you at least let me say good-bye to him?"

Akito snorted again but reluctantly allowed Kazuma to approach Kyo. Reaching his adopted son, Kazuma placed his hands on Kyo's shoulders and lowered his head a little to meet Kyo eye to eye, "I'm sorry. All these years I tried to do what was best for you. I wanted to save you from whatever fate Akito had planned for you. I've seen what happens to those with the curse of the cat before. I wanted to protect you. I've failed now and I'm sorry."

"Don't say that!" snapped Kyo, his eyes wide with surprise after Kazuma's speech, "You've done more for me than my real parents ever did. You took me in and gave me a home when no one else would. This isn't your fault. I think it's from the dreams. You couldn't have done anything to stop it."

Kyo lowered his eyes and dropped his voice as he finished, "But if you want to try to help, find Hatori and tell him what happened."

Kazuma stepped back from Kyo. He didn't nod, but the look he gave told the younger man that he had understood. Kazuma took another step back and Akito brushed past him and gave the command for Kureno to drag Kyo away.

Although Kyo knew what was supposed to happen next, the vow he made after his transformation came back to him, 'Some day I'm gonna be the kind of person my master can be proud to tell the world, I'm his dad.' Remembering that promise he held his head high and his shoulders set all the way to their destination but, even knowing where they were headed, the sight of the clearing made Kyo want to be sick. Shoulders slumping in resignation, he asked, "And now what are you going to do?"

Akito replied, "Now, we wait for the other Sohmas. And for Tohru Honda."