The drive to Akito's was a long and dull one. The whole way, an awkward silence filed the air thickly, trying to smother anything in its bloodthirsty reach...

"So, Tohru…" Hatori began hesitantly when they neared the Sohma estate. "Why is it that you wanted to visit Akito?"

Tohru was silent for a moment. She herself didn't even know the answer to this question. "Kyo…" She said softly, her voice barely audible. "Kyo is my reason for coming…"

Hatori shifted uneasily in his seat. "So, you believe that Akito will make things better?" He asked. Tohru flinched at his words.

"That's what I hope…" She said tentatively, her voice shaking. "I hope that… somehow… he can make it so that Kyo gets better. I'd do anything…" Finally, she broke down.

Again, Hatori shifted in his seat. He honestly didn't want to see her cry, not now…

"We're here…" He said softly, hoping it would silence her sobs. Tohru looked up as the car came to a halt. Slowly, she unbuckled her seatbelt and clambered out. After slightly regaining her composure, she started off toward Akito…

------------------------------------------------------------------------

The walk seemed long; much longer than she remembered. The wind played with her hair gently, though she didn't enjoy the feeling as much as she normally would.

The halls were dark. Dreary. She felt her breath catch in her throat and gently wrap its slithering fingers around her neck, slowly suffocating her. Fear… that's what this feeling was called. Pure, sheer terror.

Tohru winced. She didn't want to have these feelings. She couldn't have these feelings.

"Snap out of it, Tohru…" She spoke softly, her voice quivering in spite of herself. "You're here… for Kyo… for… for him…"

Tohru looked down sadly. She knew deep down that there was nothing Akito could do… He just couldn't. But something deep down… something just…

"Well, well…" A low, mocking voice split the silence. Tohru's head shot up, frozen to the spot. Those slender fingers of fear gripped her neck even tighter, refusing to let go.

"A-Akito…" Tohru managed to choke out. She suddenly gasped and took numerous great bows. "I'm so sorry! I don't know where my manners--"

"Shut up." Akito snarled, glaring at her. A blaring smile danced across his lips, and slowly he approached.

"You impudent wench…" He hissed again, each one of his words as sharp as knives, drilling into Tohru's heart. "Why did you come! You should know better than to set foot inside the Sohma Estate! QUIT MEDDLING IN OUR AFFAIRS!" He hollered and took one final step toward Tohru, so he was now close enough to strike her.

The slap rang through the frigid air, ringing off the walls. Tohru flinched, tears brimming her vision, but she had to be strong. For him… She kept repeating to herself. It's for him. For him!

"Don't keep me waiting." Akito said rather calmly. "You obviously had something you'd wish to discuss…"

"Y-yes…" Tohru replied awkwardly, her voice laced with unshed tears. "You… Do you know about Kyo's current condition…? He's really--"

"Of course I know about that monster's condition!" Akito bellowed, making Tohru flinch. Oh, how she wished she never came…

Tohru stood there, staring at Akito. Her eyes were pleading, silently asking the question that her voice could not. Slowly, Akito relaxed himself and contently watched the many emotions run through her eyes. Fear, hate, despair… Oh, how he loved it.

Gently, Akito laughed. He laughed! How completely irude/i could someone be! Tohru tried to glare at him, she tried her hardest, but it only ended up looking like she had to sneeze.

"Oh? Trying to get mad, are we? Or is this just an act to try to make it look like you truly are perfect? You little monster."

Tohru continued to look at him with her sneeze-like glare. She wasn't giving up now.

Akito chuckled. "No wonder you fell in love with him! That despicable excuse for a human! Monsters belong together."

"Leave him out of this…" Tohru breathed, gaining some ounce of courage. "How exactly did you know that he got hurt?"

Akito smirked and looked down at her. He bent down toward her slightly, making her stiffen. Akito placed his lips, his wicked, grinning lips, right by her ear and murmured, "Because I was the one who caused him all this pain…"

Akito pulled away and laughed heartily at her horrified expression. "That's right." He chuckled. "That demon couldn't understand…"

"But why?" Tohru questioned. "Why! How could you enjoy causing someone so much pain? Causing everyone around him pain… How! What gave you the right to do that!"

Akito glared, the fiercest expression on his face. If only looks could kill…

"Why!" He echoed. "WHY! Because he wanted more than his fair share, that's why! He should be happy enough living outside these walls! Hell, he should be happy enough living at all!" He yelled, laughing maniacally. "A monster like that doesn't even deserve the blessing of life!"

"That's not true. Everyone--"

"Silence! You're just as bad as he is! It's your fault he's in this state!"

Tohru froze. Those wispy fingers that had given up long ago quickly tied themselves around her throat once more.

"What do you mean…?" Tohru quivered. "What--"

"Isn't it obvious! That creature is in love! And you know who he's in love with?" His last sentence was so calm that it sent shivers up Tohru's spine. Her heart pounded in her chest, so many mixed emotions swirling through her head.

When she didn't answer, Akito let off his genuine, malevolent smirk. "He's in love with you. You of all people…" Akito spat. Tohru felt herself spin. Too much was happening… It was more than she could handle.

"But… he…" Tohru stuttered.

"But he what? Couldn't love you? Quit being so modest, you arrogant bitch. Any idiot could tell. Or are you lower than that?"

Tohru gently bowed her head. "Akito… What I came here for… I was wondering…" She slowly lifted her head to look him in the eye. "Is there any way to help Kyo recover?"

Akito smiled, a cold, masked smile. "Of course." He said, with a fake, happy ring to it. "I mean, if it weren't for me, he'd be better by now."

Tohru gasped. Suddenly, her insides became unbelievably cold, and the room quickly became bright, then it dulled black. Nearly pitch. "What do you mean?" She asked.

"Oh, you're so predictable, Honda." Akito smiled. "Of course, I've purposely been keeping him sick. On the bridge of death, at that. It's really simple, you see… All I have to do is walk up to the front desk and say, 'I'd like to see Kyo Sohma. Yes, the one with the orange hair… uh huh. I'm a distant cousin of his' and tada, those foolish nurses allow me in. After that, all I have to do is slip some of this into his juice, some of that into his apple sauce, and there you have it."

"You sick…" Tohru whispered. "But with your illness… How…?"

"If you set your mind to it, you can do anything." Akito smiled. "Anything."

Tohru looked down in defeat. "Please… please stop. I'll do anything…" she pleaded.

"Anything?" Akito asked. "Anything, you say…" He turned around and called down the halls, "Hatori… I know you're there. I think you need to assist us with something…"

Tohru gasped. Oh no… Oh no, no, no… What have I done…?

Hesitantly, Hatori rounded the corner.

She felt like running away... Running, and forgetting that any of this took place. Then those words, those horrid words, spilled from Akito's mouth so smoothly, each one dripping with venom.

"Erase this girl's memory."