Well, here's the chappie you've all been waiting for - the Akito chappie. Enjoy!
Chapter 28
Hatori knelt before Akito, eyes fixed on the man they called the head of the family. He appeared to be just standing, back facing Hatori, staring at the wall in front of him. All was completely silent. Neither had said a word since Hatori had entered the room. Usually Akito would be whining and complaining about his failing health by now, but this time was different; Akito had not called for him, Hatori had requested an audience with him. He looked painfully thin and more pale than usual, something Hatori hadn't noticed the last time he had examined him. The room was extremely hot and he was beginning to sweat, probably due to the fact that though Akito had a horrid fever he was also freezing because he was also suffering from chills.
"This is strange, Hatori," Akito said finally. His voice was soft yet filled with danger; he could feel it. "Rarely do you request an audience with me. Tell me, what is troubling you?" Hatori had to steady himself mentally before replying; he mustn't stutter.
"I desire your permission to be married," he said firmly.
"To whom?" came Akito's reply. Hatori could sense the anger rising.
"Mayuko Shiraki," he said steadily. "She is a teacher at Kawaia High School, currently teaching Yuki, Kyo, and Miss Tohru. She is the best friend of Kana Wakamiya and dated Shigure for three months during my relationship with Kana. Nothing came of it."
"Silence!" Akito cried, whipping around to face the doctor. "What makes you think that you have the right to demand marriage, not only once but twice? You remember what happened the last time! What made you think I would ever permit you to marry? You coward, you even shirked the rules by coming alone, how dare you! How dare you come before me like this! How dare you, Hatori!"
He grabbed the closest thing to him, an antique chair, and dashed it against Hatori's torso which hurtled him across the room. He lay in a crumpled heap on the floor, unable to move, heaving in pain silently. His eyes were closed tightly in utter agony, his face a sheer expression of anguish. His stomach was bleeding profusely, staining his customary white doctor's coat as it attempted to soak up the blood, but all in vain. Shards of wood had sunken deep into his skin and his shirt was ripped across his entire stomach. Akito walked over to him, towering over the pained mass of Hatori.
"I refuse to allow it!" he screamed, bringing his arm back to slap Hatori's face. As he brought the back of his hand down to strike Hatori he saw a flash of black.
"No!" a voice shouted. The room grew immediately silent. Hatori opened his eyes barely to see Hana's figure bent over his. Akito was staring down at her, looking at the red spot on her cheek where he had hit her instead of Hatori. She turned her head slowly so she could see his eyes; she wanted to see the fury, not only feel it. Akito stumbled backward, completely taken aback.
"Who are you?" he demanded finally, pointing a shaky finger at her.
"My name is Saki Sohma, the daughter of Miroku and Satsuki Sohma. Hatori is my brother," she said firmly, standing steady before him. Akito was speechless.
"Brother?" he said, turning his head to look at Hatori. In his nearly unconscious state Hatori managed a nod. He turned back to Hana.
"You lie, both of you!" he shouted accusingly. "Hatori has only one sister and brother, no more." Hana shook her head.
"Our parents kept my birth and the birth of our other brother Megumi secret to keep us from contact with the Sohmas. We have been living under the alias 'Hanajima,' my mother's maiden name. I came in contact with Hatori six months ago," she explained. For a moment Akito looked absolutely bewildered but not for long. His face grew red with rage, but he did not shout.
"You mean to tell me, Miss Saki, that there have been things going on behind my back for over twenty years?" he asked, knowing the answer.
"That is correct, Akito," she nodded confidently.
"H-Hana," she heard Hatori choke behind her. She knew she was pushing it, walking on thin ice, and that pain was coming but she didn't care. All that mattered now was Hatori. Akito was just standing before them in utter shock.
"Now, about Hatori-" Hana started.
"Silence!" Akito cried, slapping her across the face again. "You will not speak again and by the time I am finished with you, you will not be able to stand. You will pay for your arrogance!" He slapped her face for the third time with much more force than before and she stumbled to the ground beside Hatori. Akito was now smiling down upon her maniacally, his eyes laughing at her mockingly. He reared back to kick her repeatedly in the stomach but halted suddenly.
"Akito!" came a cry from the doorway. He whipped around to see the long-haired horse standing in the doorway, legs widespread and defiance written in every feature. "Don't you touch her."
"Rin!" he cried. "How dare you!"
"Is that the best you can come up with?" she taunted.
"Rin, you stay out of this," he warned, and for once Hana sensed fear.
Thank you, Rin.
Rin reared back and kicked Akito square in the head. He fell to the floor more lightly than Hatori or Hana had, probably because he was so ill and had no weight whatsoever; he was all bone with very little muscle.
"Hatori! Oh, Hatori!" Hana cried, kneeling over his limp figure collapsed on the floor, still leaking blood. "Oh, Hatori! Hatori!" It was all she could say, tears coming upon her like a flood. All of a sudden she just broke down, head in her hands, weeping her heart out. "Hatori!" Rin had been standing over them, looking at Akito disgustingly, but now she joined Hana on the floor. With much hesitancy she reached her arm out and placed her hand gently on her sister's trembling back.
"Oh, Rin!" Hana cried desperately, throwing herself into the girl's arms. At first it felt awkward but Rin warmed up to the sensation. She wrapped her arms around Hana and held her close. Tears were beginning to form in her own eyes now.
"Saki," she whispered tenderly.
"R-Rin," they heard Hatori mutter. They both turned to see him struggling to stay conscious.
"Yes, Hatori?" she breathed.
"Ch-check his p-pulse," he stammered. She took Akito's thin wrist in her palm and placed two fingers on top of it.
"H-he's dead, Hatori," she reported softly, watching him nod slightly and then pass out.